I'd like to start using prepreg carbon fibre, but I don't have access to an autoclave. Can I still make good quality parts with a vacuum bag and an oven, or is an autoclave essential?
It depends on the prepreg you choose. Many traditional aerospace prepregs are designed for autoclave curing, where the added pressure helps to reduce voids and get the best laminate quality. Plenty of modern prepregs, though, are formulated for out-of-autoclave processing and are meant to be cured using vacuum bagging and a controlled oven alone. If you are buying for workshop or prototype work, look for an out-of-autoclave system and follow the recommended cure cycle. These materials can produce excellent structural parts without an autoclave.
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