Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for shaping, forming, consolidating and co-consolidating thermoplastic or thermosetting composite products

US5108532A · kind A · utility

123Cited by
7References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 11, 1989
Grant dateApr 28, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 11, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB32B2309/12
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of shaping, forming, consolidating and co-consolidating a workpiece of layers of thermoplastic or thermosetting composite material into a final composite product. The associated apparatus includes upper and lower sheets of Kapton, Upilex or equivalent film which are positioned between upper and lower supports, respectively, in facing relationship and adapted to receive therebetween a workpiece to be shaped and formed. Means are provided for applying high heat to opposite sides of the supports, the sheets and the workpiece. Means are also provided for applying high pressure to the upper sheet, a diaphragm, and one side of the workpiece and for applying vacuum pressure to the other sheet and the other side of the workpiece for shaping and forming the workpiece into the final composite product.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.