NEW PREPREGS FOR COST EFFECTIVE, OUT-OF-AUTOCLAVE TOOL AND COMPONENT MANUFACTURE

摘要

The Advanced Composites Group has developed a new material format, which enables the end user to manufacture high quality tools and components without the need for an autoclave. The use of through thickness (Z-direction) air removal and controlled resin flow is the approach used to achieve this. Air paths are created within the material and maintained during much of the cure cycle, resulting in void free structures. Air is also drawn away from the component /tool interface, enabling the resin front to fully wet-out the tool surface, achieving a pit free finish. The latest resin chemistries, capable of being cured at temperatures as low as 65°Cwith operational temperatures as high as 180°C, are now being combined with these formats. These new materials compete directly with liquid resin infusion, wet lay-up, conventional prepregs and RTM. Reduced lay-up times, improved surface finish and the elimination of gelcoats, are but a few advantages already being demonstrated.