Curable liquid sealant used as vacuum bag in composite manufacturing
US6723273B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C70/548
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The inventive method concerns a process of transferring resin into reinforcing fiber material used in the manufacture of composite articles. A first step in the method involves positioning at least one layer of the reinforcing fiber material on the surface of an open mold. The reinforcing fiber material typically consists of glass, carbon, linear polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester fibers. Subsequently, a sealant layer is applied in liquid form over the reinforcing fiber material to create an airtight chamber encapsulating the reinforcing fiber material between the sealant layer and the mold. After the sealant layer is allowed to cure, a vacuum pressure is applied to the airtight chamber to draw resin through the reinforcing fiber material. For example, the resin can be an epoxy, polyester or vinyl ester resin. According to one aspect of the invention, prior to the first step of positioning the reinforcing fiber material on the surface of the mold, an optional gel coat layer can be applied to the mold surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.