초록 ▼

A method for fabricating fiber-reinforced composite structures, including centrifuge rotors, by resin transfer molding (RTM) is disclosed. The method involves loading reinforcing fibers into a mold and then injecting resin into the mold to coat the fibers to form the composite structure. Two types o

A method for fabricating fiber-reinforced composite structures, including centrifuge rotors, by resin transfer molding (RTM) is disclosed. The method involves loading reinforcing fibers into a mold and then injecting resin into the mold to coat the fibers to form the composite structure. Two types of reinforcing fibers are used--fabric preforms at the surfaces of the structure and chopped fibers at the interior of the structure. Also disclosed is a fiber-reinforced composite structure comprising a skin layer of reinforcing fabric, chopped fibers distributed throughout the interior of the structure, and epoxy resin that binds the fabric and chopped fibers together into a fiber-reinforced composite structure. The resin transfer molding method is especially useful for fabricating composite centrifuge rotors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for fabricating a fiber-reinforced composite centrifuge rotor structure having surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:forming a plurality of fabric preforms each conforming to a portion of the surfaces of the structure;providing a mold having walls that co

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for fabricating a fiber-reinforced composite centrifuge rotor structure having surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:forming a plurality of fabric preforms each conforming to a portion of the surfaces of the structure;providing a mold having walls that correspond to the surfaces of the structure;placing the fabric preforms into the mold adjacent the walls of the mold;placing chopped fibers into the mold and into an interior space defined by the fabric preforms;injecting resin into the mold to coat the fabric preforms and chopped fibers;curing the resin in the told; andremoving the structure from the mold.