초록 ▼

Fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composites are molded and cured in a system using controlled elastomeric tooling to apply molding pressure only after temperature has been increased to a selected point. A composite material to be molded and cured is typically placed between a fixed mold surface

Fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composites are molded and cured in a system using controlled elastomeric tooling to apply molding pressure only after temperature has been increased to a selected point. A composite material to be molded and cured is typically placed between a fixed mold surface and a movable reaction block. A container is mounted on a fixed support behind the block in a manner permitting movement toward the block. The container has an interior base generally parallel to the block and an upstanding edge extending toward the block. A pad of an elastomeric material having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion is retained in the container by the edges. The pad extends beyond the edges into contact with the block. A gap of selected size lies between the pad and the container base. As the assembly is heated during molding, the pad expands into the gap without exerting significant pressure on the block. As heating continues, the gap becomes filled and the pad expands against the block exerting the selected molding pressure at the selected temperature. Adjustment means are provided permitting uniform molding pressures and pressure application temperatures over a large number of pads in complex mold assemblies despite variations in pad dimensions, age, etc.

대표청구항 ▼

The method of applying pressure to a composite material through thermal expansion of an elastomeric pad which comprises the steps of: arranging said material between mold surfaces, at least one of which comprises a movable reaction block; positioning a pressure application means adjacent to said rea

The method of applying pressure to a composite material through thermal expansion of an elastomeric pad which comprises the steps of: arranging said material between mold surfaces, at least one of which comprises a movable reaction block; positioning a pressure application means adjacent to said reaction block, said pressure application means comprising a container having a base and an upstanding edge extending toward said reaction block and an elastomeric pad spaced a selected distance from said base and retained by said edges; to provide a gap between said pad and the container base adjusting said reaction block and pad so that said block is in aligned contact with said material and said pad is in contact with the opposite side of said reaction block, by rotating a loosely fitting threaded mounting means between said reaction block and a fixed support therefor and, heating said assembly to the curing temperature of said material; whereby said pad expands into said gap during initial heating without exerting significant pressure on said block, then when said gap is filled exerts selected pressure on said block as temperature is further increased.