Water soluble tooling materials for composite structures
AssigneeAdvanced Ceramics Research, Inc.
InventorsGregory J. Artz, John L. Lombardi, K. Ranji Vaidyanathan, Joseph Walish
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a low density, water-soluble coring and tooling material used for the fabrication of composite parts. One aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite coring material that can be easily shaped and removed from cured composite parts. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite tooling material that is easily tailored to provide a specific coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity, thus providing a tooling material that can be matched to the composite structure and material being fabricated.
Claims16
A material system for preparing a mold core used in the fabrication of composite parts comprising:
- a matrix composition for forming the mold core, the matrix composition comprising a water soluble thermoplastic binder selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolinone, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolinone, and combinations thereof;
- and
- a finishing composition for smoothing an outer surface of the mold core by covering any undesired surface contours or cracks on the outer surface, the finishing composition comprising a water soluble thermoplastic binder and a hardening compound.
A composite blend for preparation of tooling materials for fabricating composite parts consisting essentially of:
- polyvinylpyrrolinone, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolinone, and combinations thereof;
- and
- an additive composition for enhancing the functional properties of the blend selected from the group consisting of polymeric microbeads, ceramic microbeads, metallic microbeads, hardening compound, talc, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, metallic fillers, ceramic fillers, compatibilizers, dispersants, and combinations thereof.
A method for manufacture of a mold core comprising:
- (a) preparing a core composition having a polymer binder selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolinone, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolinone and combinations thereof;
- (b) depositing the composition in a mold form for shaping the mold core;
- and
- (c) drying the mold core to remove residual water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.