Fluoroelastomer covered elastomeric tooling for composite manufacturing
AssigneeRubbercraft Corporation of California, Ltd.
InventorsFinley Miller, Robert Harshberger, Mathias Hecht
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Abstract
A multi-layer elastomeric tooling for the manufacturing of composite structures is disclosed. The tooling comprises an elastomeric base material with an outer layer of fluoroelastomer. The base material can, in certain embodiments, be selected for its mechanical or thermal performance or low cost without the limitation of being a contact material. The outer material can, in various embodiments, have inferior mechanical properties, or durometers different than the base material or can be a contact or barrier material.
Claims9
An elastomeric tooling for forming composites comprising:
- an inert elastomeric outer layer comprising a fluoroelastomer, the inert elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric tooling;
- and
- an elastomeric inner layer adhered to the inert elastomeric outer layer, the elastomeric inner layer comprising silicone having a durometer and an elasticity;
- wherein the inert elastomeric outer layer has a thickness such that the inert elastomeric outer layer exhibits a durometer and an elasticity that are closer to the durometer and elasticity of the silicone than the fluoroelastomer on its own.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.