Method for producing a fibre composite component by means of a vacuum build-up, and use therefor

• US 10,005,243 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2013
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Premium Aerotec GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Premium Aerotec GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Bauer, Ernst-Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Daniels, Matthew J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Graham, Andrew D
• Application Number:
  US14/403,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20150097320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,856 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/44 using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/443 and impregnating by vacuum or injection
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/446 Moulding structures having an axis of symmetry or at least one channel, e.g. tubular structures, frames
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/46 using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/465 and impregnating by melting a solid material, e.g. sheets, powders of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/467 and impregnating the reinforcements during mould closing B29C70/465 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2022/00 Hollow articles tubular articles B29L2023/00; pneumatic tyres B29L2030/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/772 Articles characterised by their shape and not otherwise provided for closed loop B29L2031/709; ring-like B29L2031/7096; corrugated B29L2016/00, flat B29L2007/00; hollow B29L2022/00; screw-threaded B29L2001/00; toothed B29L2031/775; corrugated tubes B29L2023/18

Abstract

A fiber composite component is made by infiltrating and curing at least one textile component preform that is placed on a molding tool surface and covered with an air-tight covering and on which pressure is exerted, in at least one stage of production, by evacuating a vacuum chamber between the molding tool surface and the air-tight covering. The air-tight covering is formed from a resin film.

Claims

1. A method for producing a fiber composite component, the method comprising:

placing at least one textile component preform on a molding tool surface;

covering the at least one textile component preform with an air-tight covering formed from a resin film, which is applied as a covering to the at least one textile component preform in a liquid to semi-liquid state;

adding a catalyst essentially only on a resin film surface facing away from the at least one textile component preform so that outermost surface areas of the resin film are cured or cured more rapidly to create or stabilize a gas-tightness of the resin film;

exerting pressure on the covered at least one textile component preform, in at least one stage of production, by evacuating a vacuum chamber between the molding tool surface and the air-tight covering; and

infiltrating and curing the at least one textile component preform, wherein an identical resin material is used for the infiltration and the resin film.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin film is used in a carrier-stabilized form.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the resin film is pre-produced carrier-stabilized and then applied to the preform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a consistency of the applied resin film is deliberately influenced during production by adjusting temperature or humidity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the preform is infiltrated using some of the resin film that is liquefied after the vacuum chamber is evacuated.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the preform is infiltrated using separately supplied resin.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein to increase the pressure exerted onto the preform, a pressure chamber is used in which the molding tool surface, preform, and air-tight covering are housed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin film is removed from the cured preform at the end of the production method.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin film remains on the cured preform at the end of the production method.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cured preform is a hollow component.