Method of forming composite components with cavities

Abstract

A method of forming a composite component includes laying up a plurality of composite plies around a mandrel assembly to form a composite ply core. The mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an inner structural body and an outer release layer. The mandrel is configured to form a cavity in the composite ply core. The method also includes processing the composite ply core containing the mandrel assembly to compact the plurality of composite plies together. Further, the method includes removing the mandrel assembly from the composite ply core to form the cavity. Further, removing the mandrel assembly from the composite ply core includes melting out the inner structural body and removing the outer release layer after melting out the inner structural body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.