Systems, cure tools, and methods for thermally curing a composite part

A method for curing a composite part, comprising:

• placing the composite part onto a topside of a cure tool, wherein a bottom surface of the composite part contacts the topside of the cure tool and a top surface of the composite part is opposite the bottom surface of the composite part;
• placing the cure tool and the composite part into an autoclave;
• using the autoclave to apply external heat to the cure tool and the composite part, wherein air flows over the top surface of the composite part to heat the top surface of the composite part;
• and
• applying additional heat to a backside of the cure tool via radiation provided by at least one heating source of the cure tool, so as to reduce a temperature difference between the backside of the cure tool and the top surface of the composite part being cured, wherein the backside of the cure tool is opposite the topside of the cure tool,
• wherein applying additional heat to the backside of the cure tool comprises preventing transfer of heat to the topside of the cure tool by conduction or convection via vacuum and insulation of adjacent closed cell cavities on the backside of the cure tool.

A method for curing a composite part, comprising:

• placing the composite part onto a topside of a cure tool, wherein a bottom surface of the composite part contacts the topside of the cure tool and a top surface of the composite part is opposite the bottom surface of the composite part;
• placing the cure tool and the composite part into an autoclave;
• using the autoclave to apply external heat to the cure tool and the composite part, wherein air flows over the top surface of the composite part to heat the top surface of the composite part;
• applying additional heat to a backside of the cure tool via radiation provided by at least one heating source of the cure tool, so as to reduce a temperature difference between the backside of the cure tool and the top surface of the composite part being cured, wherein the backside of the cure tool is opposite the topside of the cure tool;
• and
• maintaining adjacent closed cell cavities positioned on the backside of the cure tool under vacuum pressure via a vacuum manifold during portions of curing of the composite part.