Fiber-reinforced epoxy composites and methods of making same without the use of oven or autoclave
US9370902B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2995/0013
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Method embodiments for producing a fiber-reinforced epoxy composite comprise providing a mold defining a shape for a composite, applying a fiber reinforcement over the mold, covering the mold and fiber reinforcement thereon in a vacuum enclosure, performing a vacuum on the vacuum enclosure to produce a pressure gradient, insulating at least a portion of the vacuum enclosure with thermal insulation, infusing the fiber reinforcement with a reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent under vacuum conditions, wherein the reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent generates exothermic heat, and producing the fiber-reinforced epoxy composite having a glass transition temperature of at least about 100° C. by curing the fiber reinforcement infused with the reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent by utilizing the exothermically generated heat, wherein the curing is conducted inside the thermally insulated vacuum enclosure without utilization of an external heat source or an external radiation source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.