Three-dimensional reuseable curing caul for use in curing integrated composite components and methods of making the same
AssigneeEmbraer S.A.
InventorsFabricio BRIZON, Lallo Kametada NOU
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Abstract
Curing cauls formed of a one-piece three-dimensional resiliently shape-retentive fiber-reinforced body are provided, whereby the body includes a fibrous sheet coated with at least one layer of a cured elastomeric resin. The fibrous sheet may be embedded within the cured elastomeric resin, with the body having a stiffened perimetrical edge region and a stiffened ridge region vertically spaced from the edge region.
Claims24
A curing caul formed of a one-piece three-dimensional resiliently shape-retentive fiber-reinforced body comprised of a fibrous sheet coated with at least one layer of a cured elastomeric resin.
A method of making a three-dimensional resiliently shape-retentive curing caul comprising:
- (a) applying an initial layer of a curable elastomeric resin to exterior surfaces of a three-dimensional model having a desired cross-sectional profile;
- (b) applying a dry fibrous sheet over the initial layer of curable elastomeric resin;
- (c) applying at least one additional layer of a curable elastomeric resin onto the fibrous sheet;
- and
- (d) curing the elastomeric resin to form a three-dimensional resiliently shape-retentive curing caul.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.