COMPOSITE STRUCTURE WITH MOLDED-IN WOOD SURFACE
A composite structure is disclosed having a fiber-reinforce plastic and a wood layer. The wood layer includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. At least a portion of the lower surface includes at least one engagement feature. A co-cure adhesive layer is applied to the lower surface of the wood layer. The co-cure adhesive layer bonds the fiber-reinforced plastic and the layer. The co-cure adhesive layer comprises at least one elastomer and at least one resin selected from a vinyl ester resin, a polyester resin, and an epoxy resin. The at least one engagement feature may comprise at least one of a groove, a dovetail groove, a curved groove, and a hole.
1 .- 16 . (canceled)
17 . A method of bonding a fiber-reinforced plastic to a wood layer to form a composite structure, the method comprising:
applying a co-cure adhesive layer to a first surface of the wood layer, wherein the co-cure adhesive layer comprises at least one elastomer and at least one resin selected from a vinyl ester resin, a polyester resin, and an epoxy resin;
contacting the co-cure adhesive layer with a reinforcing layer and a laminating resin;
curing the laminating resin to form a fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein the fiber-reinforced plastic is bonded to the wood layer by the co-cure adhesive layer.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the co-cure adhesive layer is at least partially cured prior to application of the reinforcing layer.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the curing step further comprises curing the co-cure adhesive layer simultaneously with the laminating resin.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the laminating resin is a co-cure adhesive comprising at least one elastomer and at least one resin selected from a vinyl ester resin, a polyester resin, and an epoxy resin, and wherein the curing step further comprises curing the co-cure adhesive layer simultaneously with the laminating resin.
21 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising forming engagement features into the wood layer prior to the applying step.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the engagement features comprise at least one of grooves and holes.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the contacting step further includes filling the engagement features with the co-cure adhesive layer.
24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
curing the co-cure adhesive layer to form a sealant layer on the wood layer;
applying a second co-cure adhesive layer onto the sealant layer.