Inert gas heated compression moulding process and apparatus

摘要

The invention is directed to a molding apparatus, including a cylinder (26) having an interior sidewall (34) and a fluid inlet (72), and defining an inner cavity (36). A porous plate (58) is disposed within the inner cavity, and is disposable in a loading position wherein the inner cavity is divided into a fluid flow chamber (72) and a material chamber (36). A ram (28) having an outside diameter (54) which is less than the diameter of the cylinder interior sidewall (34) is slidable within the cylinder.