Enhancements in Rubber Tooling/Compositer Fabrication

摘要

The process utilizes a silicone rubber as part of the tool assembly. The entire assembly of metal tool, rubber tool and composite mateiral is contained by an outer mold. When heated, the rubber exerts pressure great enough to laminate composite parts. An autoclave or vacuum system is not needed. Equations govern the sizing and expansion of the rubber and lead to theoretical pressures, which can be regulated.