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Composite Manufacturing - Autoclave Composite Moulding, Autoclave Fibreglass Moulding
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Autoclave composite moulding is a similar to pressure-bag and vacuum-bag moulding but uses a high pressure chamber instead. This advanced composite process produces denser, void free mouldings because higher heat and pressure are used during curing. It is widely used in the aerospace industry to fabricate high strength/weight ratio parts from pre-impregnated high strength fibres for aircraft, spacecraft and missiles. Autoclaves are essentially heated pressure vessels usually equipped with vacuum systems into which the bagged lay-up on the mould is taken for the cure cycle. Curing pressures are generally in the range of 50 to 100 psi and cure cycles normally involve many hours. The method accommodates higher temperature matrix resins such as epoxies, having higher properties than conventional resins. Autoclave size limits part size.
An alternative to the conventional autoclave process is a patented technique developed by the Australian CSIRO called ‘Quickstep’ and now in commercial production by Quickstep Technology. Quickstep uses a unique, fluid filled, balanced pressure, floating mould technique, combined with vibration through the fluids to produce advanced fibre and glass reinforced composite components. The quickstep process produces composite structures having superior properties in a much faster time than conventional autoclave processes.
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