Process for the manufacture of multilayer articles

摘要

A method and apparatus for manufacturing composite articles such as laminate ballistic protection and structural reinforcements. The method involves placing a composite assembly in a sealable membrane system, e.g. a vacuum bag and placing the vacuum bag in a pressure vessel to apply heat and pressure to the composite assembly, thereby manufacturing a composite article. The apparatus comprises: a pressure vessel; a source of processing liquid to apply isostatic pressure to the vacuum bag; processing liquid heating, cooling, pressurizing and circulating means; and a control system to control the heating, cooling and pressurizing means. The sealable membrane system may preferably comprise: a sealable membrane to separate the composite article from the processing liquid and maintain the composite article below atmospheric pressure; and a membrane to cushion the composite article and resist adhesion of the article to other membranes. The processing liquid is preferably silicone oil.

主权项

1. A composite article consolidation apparatus for exercising pressure and thermal cycling for the purpose of composite article consolidation, the apparatus including:
a processing liquid contained within a closed processing liquid filled circuit; a composite article processing volume having:
an opening to facilitate loading and unloading;processing liquid circulation processing ports to allow the simultaneous inward and outward passage of processing liquid within the closed processing liquid filled circuit, a pressurisation system having means to increase or decrease pressure within the closed processing liquid filled circuit; a processing liquid circulation system fluidly connected to the closed processing liquid filled circuit; an external processing liquid heating system fluidly connected to the closed processing liquid filled circuit; an external processing liquid cooling system fluidly connected to the closed processing liquid filled circuit; a process control system connected to the processing liquid heating system, the processing liquid cooling system and the pressurisation system; a composite article preparation system including:
a sealable membrane to separate the composite article and the processing liquid;a sealable membrane to maintain the composite article in a pressure below atmospheric pressure prior to the application of external processing liquid pressure;a membrane to cushion the composite article; anda membrane to resist adhesion of other membranes to the external surface of the composite article.