NON-AUTOCLAVE PREPREG MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

摘要

Use of non-autoclave manufacturing technology has been limited by processes which provide lower quality than autoclave cured approaches and materials which do not meet the properties or structural life demanded. Non-Autoclave Manufacturing Technology is a program jointly accomplished by a Boeing-led team and the U.S. Government (DARPA) under the guidance of the Air Force to address the challenges to enable disruptive, pervasive use of vacuum-bag-only prepreg for reduced recurring cost and cycle time for primary structures. The program addresses the following: · Autoclave-like properties with an initial cure temperature of 93 deg C with vacuum pressure only and a free standing post cure at 177 deg C · Reduced cost/span time tooling family for use in 10-25 units · Processing and tooling to match production, because the tooling concepts used in development are also production-worthy One key to achieving these goals is a 121 deg C use, medium tough epoxy prepreg system, representing a third generation of prepreg processed under vacuum pressure only. This paper summarizes progress during the first year of the program.