High density carbon foam composite tooling
AssigneeTouchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
InventorThomas M. Matviya
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Abstract
Tools for the forming of composite parts from composite forming materials, having tool bodies that comprise, at least in part, high density carbon foam where a surface of the high density carbon foam may comprise a tool face or support tool face materials. The tools of the present invention may be lighter, more durable, and less costly to produce and/or use than conventional tools used for the production of composite parts, particularly those tools used for the production of carbon composites. Additionally, such tools may be reusable, repairable, and more readily modifiable.
Claims31
A tool for the production of at least one composite part, the tool comprising a tool body defining a tool face, wherein the tool body is comprised of at least one piece of high density carbon foam having a thermal conductivity between about 5 to 70 W/mK, wherein at least a portion of said high density carbon foam comprising said tool body at least partially supports a tool face material, and wherein the tool face has a surface defining a three dimensional negative mirror image of a surface of the at least one composite part.
A method for producing at least one composite part, comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool body having a tool face, wherein said tool body is comprised of at least one piece of high density carbon foam having a thermal conductivity between about 5 to 70 W/mK, and wherein the tool face has a surface defining a three dimensional negative mirror image of a surface of the at least one composite part;
- placing composite forming material on said tool face;
- and
- curing said composite forming material thereby producing the composite part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.