METHOD FOR MAKING HONEYCOMB CORE COMPOSITE ARTICLES

摘要

A method for making a honeycomb core composite article includes forming a honeycomb core (24) and a precured composite skin (20) having a core edge (32) and a restraint edge (30), respectively. The precured composite skin (20) is placed in combination with a rigid mold member having a mold surface (12s) and the honeycomb core (24) is mated with the precured composite skin (20) to form a mated subassembly (36). An uncured composite skin (22) is laid over the mated subassembly (36) such that a peripheral portion (44) of the uncured composite skin (22) extends beyond the restraint edge (30) by a distance X and such that the peripheral portion (44) is in superposed abutting engagement with the mold surface (12s). The honeycomb core (24), the precured composite skin (20) and the uncured composite skin (22) define a composite lay-up (10) over which a vacuum bag (14) is disposed. The resultant mold cavity (60) is evacuated to urge the vacuum bag (14) against the uncured composite skin (22) thereby effecting engagement of the peripheral portion (44) with the restraint edge (30) and the mold surface (12s). The composite lay-up (10) is then cured to form the completed honeycomb core composite article. The method produces a honeycomb core composite article wherein the honeycomb core (24) thereof is accurately located and substantially distortion-free.