Method for forming composite components and tool for use therein

摘要

A method of making an aircraft component is provided, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a mold (1) for the receipt of a material (3) from which the aircraft component is to be madeproviding the mold with said materialproviding an intensification tool (14) in spaced relationship to the mold andheating the material, tool and mold so that the tool expands and applies pressure to the material and so as to form the component andwherein the linear coefficient of thermal expansion of the tool in a first direction is matched to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the component in the first direction, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the tool in a second direction is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the component in the second direction, the tool being provided with at least one contacting surface for contacting the material and through which pressure is applied to the material, the expansion of the tool in the second direction causing the at least one contacting surface to contact, and exert pressure on, the material.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising an intensification tool for exerting pressure on a material placed between said tool and a mould when said material is heated to form a component, said mould for forming an aircraft component from said material placed between said mould and said tool, the tool comprises at least one contacting surface for contacting the material;
the linear coefficient of thermal expansion of the tool in a first direction is less than the linear coefficient of thermal expansion of the tool in a second direction; the co-efficient of thermal expansion of the mould in said first direction is matched to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the tool in said first direction; and the tool is configured such that thermal expansion of the tool in the second direction causes the at least one contacting surface to contact and exert pressure on the material.