Autoclave moldings

An autoclave is a heated pressure vessel which accommodates the bagged workpiece, which can be placed under a vacuum to remove air and volatiles and to which additional pressure can be applied by pressurizing the vessel. Autoclaves are expensive and the size available imposes a limit on the size of the workpiece, but the quality of the component is excellent. 

IVr = Resin areal weight in prepreg, g m pR = Resin density, g cm  

RV= Fiber areal weight in prepreg, gm p = Fiber density, gcm  

An epoxy prepreg will provide a composite with higher mechanical properties than a comparable epoxy hand lay-up resin and with less voids (0-2%) compared with 5-8% voids in a wet laminate. However, the prepreg does require to be stored under refrigeration, requires a well constructed mold and must be cured at 70°C or above. 

---

The oldest technology involved in the elastomer blending and vulcanization process is essentially a temperature controlled two roll mill as well as internal mixers followed by an optimum degree of crosslinking in autoclave molds (compression, injection, etc.) in a batch process or in a continuous process such as continuously heated tube or radiated tubes. A few examples of laboratory scale preparation of special purpose elastomeric blends is cited here. 

Techniques commonly used to manufacture advanced composites from prepregs, which are available in unidirectional fiber or fabric form, include compression molding, vacuum-bag autoclave molding, stamp molding, thermoforming, and on-line (in situ) consolidation [3]. In compression and vacuum-bag autoclave molding techniques, the prepreg is cut to the dimensions of the structure, and the fiber directions are oriented to obtain the required... 

Molding processes include compression molding, resin transfer molding (RTM), injection molding and reaction injection molding (RIM), autoclave molding, and several types of specific processes such as shell molding, which is used in foundries. 

Autoclave molding has been particularly adapted for the cure of laminates of preimpregnated plies of continuous fibers (prepregs). A lay-up of... 

Chottiner, J., Sanjana, Z, N., Kodani, M. R., Lengel, K. W., Rosenblatt, G. B. Monitoring cure of large autoclave molded parts by dielectric analysis, p. 77, Proc. 26th SAMPE Symp., 1981... 

Autoclave Molding. This is similar to pressure-bag molding, but it is carried out in an autoclave to apply the pressure to the outside of the cover film. 

Compression Molding Flexible Plunger Flexible Bag Molding Laminate Hand Lay-Up Vacuum Bag Molding Vacuum Bag Molding and Pressure Pressure Bag Molding Autoclave Molding Autoclave Press Clave Wet Lay-Up... 

---