Collapsible mandrel employing reinforced fluoroelastomeric bladder

摘要

Methods of forming a collapsible mandrel are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes forming a layup on a substrate by providing a first layer of rubber, positioning a reinforcement strip on the first layer of rubber, providing first and second release films in spaced apart from each other adjacent the reinforcement strip to expose a portion of the reinforcement strip, providing a second layer of rubber overlying the exposed portion of the reinforcement strip, and laminating the first and second layers of rubber to the reinforcement strip. The release films to prevent the first and second layers of rubber from adhering to each other and the reinforcement strip such that non-adhered ends of the first and second layers of rubber and the reinforcement strip define flaps. The method includes placing the layup in a cavity of a mold forming part of a tool assembly, consolidating the layup when the layup is in the cavity of the mold, and curing the layup to form the collapsible mandrel.

主权项

1. A method of forming a collapsible mandrel, the method comprising:
forming a layup on a substrate by:
providing a first layer of rubber;positioning a reinforcement strip on the first layer of rubber;providing a first release film and a second release film on the reinforcement strip spaced apart from each other to expose a portion of the reinforcement strip;providing a second layer of rubber overlying the exposed portion of the reinforcement strip; andlaminating the first and second layers of rubber to the reinforcement strip, wherein the first and second release films prevent the first and second layers of rubber and the reinforcement strip from adhering to each other about an area defined by the first and second release films such that non-adhered ends of the first and second layers of rubber and the reinforcement strip define foldable flaps; placing the layup in a cavity of a mold forming part of a tool assembly; consolidating the layup when the layup is in the cavity of the mold; and curing the layup to form the collapsible mandrel.