COMPLIANT LAYER FOR MATCHED TOOL MOLDING OF UNEVEN COMPOSITE PREFORMS

摘要

A method for consolidating a preform (40) made of composite material. The preform and a compliant metal alloy sheet (44) are placed between less compliant matched confronting forming/molding surfaces (18,20) with the preform being sandwiched between the metal alloy sheet and a matched confronting surface. The matched confronting surfaces and compliant metal alloy sheet are heated until the preform reaches at least its consolidation temperature. During heating, force is applied so that the matched confronting surfaces exert sufficient compressive force on the preform and metal alloy sheet to cause the composite material to consolidate at the consolidation temperature. The metal alloy sheet has a tensile yield point in a range of 0.17-2 Mpa (25-300 psi) at the consolidation temperature at a strain rate of about 1 % to 10% strain per minute.