Compression molding of composite material quasi-isotropic flakes
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsAaron William Bartel, David Eric Gideon, Gregg Robert Bogucki
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Abstract
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for compression molding of composite material quasi-isotropic flakes. According to some embodiments disclosed herein, a first layer formed from a composite component material and a second layer formed from a composite component material are consolidated together to form a quasi-isotropic panel. Composite material flakes having quasi-isotropic properties (“quasi-flakes”) are obtained from the quasi-isotropic panel. A compression mold is filled with the quasi-flakes, and heat is applied to the compression mold to form a part.
Claims20
A method for forming a molded part having quasi-isotropic properties, the method comprising:
- consolidating a first layer formed from a first composite component material having a first orientation and a second layer formed from a second composite component material having a second orientation to create a quasi-isotropic panel;
- dividing the quasi-isotropic panel into a plurality of quasi-flakes;
- filling a compression mold with the plurality of quasi-flakes;
- and
- applying heat to the compression mold to form the molded part having quasi-isotropic properties.
A method for forming a part using compression molding, the method comprising:
- assembling a first layer formed from a first composite component material, a second layer formed from a second composite component material, and a third layer formed from a third composite component material to form a quasi-isotropic panel;
- dividing the quasi-isotropic panel to form quasi-flakes from the quasi-isotropic panel, each of the quasi-flakes comprising a first portion of the first layer, a second portion of the second layer, and a third portion of the third layer;
- at least partially filling a compression mold with the quasi-flakes;
- and
- applying heat and pressure to the compression mold to form the part.
A method for forming a part from quasi-flakes having quasi-isotropic properties, the method comprising:
- consolidating a first layer formed from a first composite component material and having embedded fibers arranged in a first orientation, a second layer formed from a second composite component material and having embedded fibers arranged in a second orientation, and a third layer formed from a third composite component material and having embedded fibers arranged in a third orientation to form a quasi-isotropic panel;
- dividing the quasi-isotropic panel to form the quasi-flakes from the quasi-isotropic panel, each of the quasi-flakes comprising a first portion of the first layer, a second portion of the second layer, and a third portion of the third layer;
- filling a compression mold with the quasi-flakes;
- and
- applying heat and pressure to the compression mold to form the part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.