A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CURVED STRUCTURAL ELEMENT MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND HAVING A COMPLEX, OPEN CROSS-SECTION

摘要

A method of manufacturing a curved structural element made of composite material and having a complex, open cross-section is described, in which the structural element is formed by the assembly of components made of composite material. First of all a plurality of flat, fresh components (10, 20, 30; 110, 120, 130) are prepared, each component being constituted by a flat layer of curved fibres previously infused with resin, combined with a pre-impregnated layer with straight fibres. Hot-forming of the flat, raw components is then performed. The hot-formed, fresh components are then assembled in accordance with a predetermined sequence on a polymerization tool. The tool comprises a shaped, inflatable device (42; 42'; 42") astride which a C-shaped raw component is deposited. Finally, the fresh components assembled on the tool are subjected to a polymerization cycle in an autoclave. The inflatable device is inflated by means of the pressure produced in the autoclave in order to apply a predetermined pressure from the inside of the C-shaped fresh component.