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US 9,738,764 B2Granted
Methods, systems and apparatuses for curing epoxy-containing prepreg composite assembly
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsGwen M Gross, Michael P Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to improved curing methods for epoxy resin-containing composite prepreg materials, wherein the composite prepreg materials are exposed to a flow of ammonia-containing compounds to fully cure the composite prepreg materials at substantially ambient temperatures and pressures.
Claims18
A method for curing an epoxy-containing prepreg assembly for a composite material comprising:
- positioning the epoxy-containing prepreg assembly for a composite material, in an enclosed environment, said enclosed environment comprising an inlet, said prepreg assembly comprising layers of prepregs, said layers of prepregs comprising fibers, said fibers selected from the group consisting of:
- carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, boron fibers and combinations thereof;
- delivering a flow of an ammonia-containing compound to the enclosed environment via the inlet, said flow delivered to the enclosed environment to a predetermined concentration;
- maintaining the flow of the ammonia-containing compound to the enclosed environment at the predetermined concentration for a predetermined duration;
- and
- curing the epoxy-containing prepreg assembly to produce the composite material;
- wherein the prepreg assembly in the enclosed environment is maintained at a temperature ranging from about 60° F. to about 100° F. and at a pressure ranging from about 14 psi to about 16 psi.
4 more elements
A system for curing an epoxy-containing prepreg assembly for a composite material, said system comprising:
- an epoxy-containing prepreg assembly for a composite material, said prepreg assembly comprising layers of prepregs, said layers of prepregs comprising fibers, said fibers selected from the group consisting of:
- carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, boron fibers and combinations thereof;
- an enclosed environment dimensioned to house the epoxy-containing prepreg assembly, said enclosed environment comprising an inlet;
- and
- an amount of an ammonia-containing compound delivered to the enclosed environment to a predetermined concentration via the inlet;
- wherein the ammonia-containing compound cures the epoxy-containing prepreg assembly to produce the composite material at a temperature ranging from about 60° F. to about 100° F. and at a pressure ranging from about 14 psi to about 16 psi.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.