Fiber reinforced plastic component manufacture involves compressing resin impregnated fiber composite between mold, upper films and pressurized membrane while heat transfer fluids flows between film and membrane

摘要

A mold(4) is supported on a sand bed(3), rigid foam or other air permeable material. A gas impermeable film(5) is placed on the tool and vacuum pressure used to draw (5) onto the mold surface. Fiber reinforcement(6) is laid onto (5) and covered by a gas impermeable film(7). A film(17) and a membrane(8) are placed above (7) to form a closed mold and pressurized on the side facing away from the composite. Heat transfer fluid passes through a gap between (17) and (8) to cure the composite. A mold(4) is supported on a sand bed(3), rigid foam or other air permeable material. A second gas impermeable film(5) is placed on the tool and vacuum pressure used to draw the film onto the mold surface. Fiber reinforcement(6) are laid onto this film and covered by a first gas impermeable film(7). A third film(17) and a membrane(8) are placed above the first film to form a closed mold and pressurized on the side facing away from the composite materials. Heat transfer fluid passes through a gap between the third film and membrane to cure the composite. Water or oil are used as the heat transfer fluid. Liquid resin may be introduced into the mold(4) after the fiber reinforcement(6). A specific gap is left between the membrane and composite material surface. Heat transfer fluid temperature during the resin introduction and curing can be varied according to time or local position in the tool. The supporting material(3) and the mold are heated(18) and/or cooled. Resin is degassed before introduction. An independent claim is included for the process equipment which includes a sand bed, rigid foam or other air permeable material supporting a mold, a first gas impermeable film(7) covering the fiber composite materials, a second gas impermeable film(5) covering the tool surface, a vacuum system, a third film(17) above the first film and a membrane(8) above the third film and a pump(10) to supply heat transfer fluid.