Flanged composite structure

摘要

A composite structure 9, comprises a main body 91 and a flange 92 along a first edge of the body 91 having a wall portion 93 connected to the body 91 through a first bend 81 and a lip portion 94 connected to the wall 93 through a second bend 83 in the opposite direction to first bend 81. The composite structure 9 is manufactured by laying-up a preform 7 on a mould 6. The flange 92 is formed by advancing movable portion(s) 62 of the mould 6 to form a proximal portion of a second part of the preform 7 to create the first bend 81 and by forming distal portion of the second part of the preform 7 around the advancing movable portion(s) 62 of the mould 6 to create the second bend 83. Resin in the formed flange 92 and the first part 71 of the preform 7 is then cured. The preform may be pressed onto the mould with a vacuum bag. The two bends 81, 83 ensure ply material 78 is kept in tension during the forming to prevent wrinkling or buckling. The composite structure may have aerospace applications such as a containment case of a gas turbine engine.