AUTOCLAVE MOLDING
Autoclave molding is a modification of pressure-bag
and vacuum-bag molding. This advanced composite process
produces denser, void free moldings because higher heat
and pressure are used for curing. It is widely used in
the aerospace industry to fabricate high strength/weight
ratio parts from preimpregnated high strength fibers for
aircraft, spacecraft and missiles. Autoclaves are
essentially heated pressure vessels usually equiped with
vacuum systems into which the bagged lay-up on the mold
is taken for the cure cycle. Curing pressures are
generally in the range of 50 to 100 psi and cure cycles
normally involve many hours. The method accommodates
higher temperature matrix resins such as epoxies, having
higher properties than conventional resins. Autoclave
size limits part size.
Photos from recent seminars on the subject of
autoclave molding: 3,
4,
5,
CT Processes | Participants | Links
Web Author: Terry Price (tprice@cerritos.edu)
Disclaimer
Last update: 11/14/01 |
