METHOD OF CREATING LARGE COMPLEX COMPOSITE PANELS USING CO-CONSOLIDATION OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL SYSTEMS

摘要

A method of constructing a large, complex composite panel involves connecting smaller compression molded thermoplastic subpanels, edge to edge using a thermoplastic co-consolidation method. The edges of adjacent subpanels are given complementary surface configurations. The surface configurations are overlapped and heat and pressure are applied to the overlapping surface constructions to co-consolidate the surface constructions in forming a large, composite panel of two or more subpanels.