Autoclave Processing

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Recommended: Advantages and disadvantages of thermoplastics

Autoclaves can be an essential part for the curing process of both thermoset and thermoplastic composites. An autoclave is defined in the aerospace industry as large pressure vessel that also has a heating ability and can be very large in order to accommodate parts that would need to be cured within it. The material used to make an autoclave would need to be able to withstand high pressures and temperatures that can be in high range of 300-400 °C and over 1 MPa. The purpose of the autoclave is to reach a high enough temperature to lower the viscosity of the resin and start the chemical curing reaction as well as reach a pressure to eliminate voids, remove excess resin, and press the plies of composite together. Any type of composite material can be cured in an autoclave as long as the polymer’s cure cycle falls within the temperature and pressure limits of the autoclave. The autoclave also allows the production of complex shaped parts due to the two different ways pressure can be applied to a part in an autoclave. Pressure can be increased inside the autoclave, pressing the bagged part into a tool and vacuum can be applied within the bag for added pressure on the part. A couple of major disadvantages for autoclaves are that they have a slow with temperature and pressure changes and that they have low temperature control which is mostly due the autoclave’s size and the methods to heat and pressurize the autoclave. For materials where the cure cycle is long and require a few hours, slow heating and cooling are actually not a problem at all. Furthermore, temperature control can be improved by using internal gas circulation along with typical temperature sensing and control. A simple equation can be used to determine the per...

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...en bulk or monolithic graphite and various ceramics. Bulk graphite has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, can be used in temperatures of up to 2000 °C, has high thermal conductivity and is easy to create. The major disadvantage to this type of tooling is that it is very fragile and has a tool life or only 10 curing cycles. Ceramic tooling is also being considered for high temperature tooling due to its commonly used molding materials and the ease of casting the tool. The surface needs to be well finished and sealed to ensure a smooth and nonporous surface and the process for creating thermoplastic composites with this type of tooling is not fully proven. For all types of composites, the choice in tooling is very important due the variations of each type.

Works Cited

Dillon, Greg. "The Autoclave Processing of Composites." Advanced Composite Manufacturing

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