Autoclave curing

Composite manufacturing routes that achieve low-void laminates without autoclave pressure, typically using vacuum-bag-only prepregs, oven cure or resin infusion. It reduces capital and energy costs and removes the part size limits imposed by autoclave dimensions.

A consolidation technique in which a laminate is sealed under a flexible airtight film and the air is evacuated so that atmospheric pressure compacts the plies during cure. It removes trapped air and excess resin and is used with wet lay-up, prepreg and infusion processes.

The programmed schedule of temperature, pressure and vacuum against time under which a thermosetting laminate or adhesive is cured, including heating ramps, dwells and cool-down. The cycle is defined in the material's processing data and qualified for the specific part and process.

The manufacture of composite parts from reinforcement pre-impregnated with a controlled amount of partially cured resin. Plies are cut, laid into a mould and debulked, then consolidated and cured under heat and pressure, typically in an autoclave or oven, giving very consistent fibre and resin content.