Mandrel for autoclave curing applications

摘要

A mandrel used to cure a composite part layup has an elastic body and at least one internal open space therein. The internal open space is configured to allow substantially uniform thermal expansion of the body during curing.

主权项

1. A method of fabricating a composite part, comprising:
forming a mandrel, said mandrel a single unitary component having a generally solid body of elastic material; determining thermal expansion characteristics of the mandrel; forming at least one internal open space in the mandrel that will result in substantially uniform thermal expansion of the mandrel during curing of the composite part, thereby creating an opening in the mandrel, and forming includes selecting, based on the thermal expansion characteristics, a shape of the opening that will result in the substantially uniform thermal expansion; placing a composite part layup over the mandrel; and curing the composite part.