CompositesWorld.com 9
resolves the lack of compaction pressure on the
preform after resin infltration by placing the resin
reservoir under partial vacuum so that its pressure is
below 1 atm. Boeing has used CAPRI to demonstrate
parts with fber volume fractions and performance
equivalent to autoclave-cured prepreg parts. CAPRI
also has been used in conjunction with stitched
preforms to make landing gear doors for the C-17
Globemaster III transport aircraft for the US Air Force.
BAA cures MTE parts in 15 large ovens supplied
by Furnace Engineering (Victoria) which provide air
recirculation rates and heating power to match an
autoclave's efciency in delivering heat to both the
tool and part, while still reducing the overall process
cost. "At frst glance, the fans on these aerospace
infusion ovens may seem disproportionately large for
the oven," says Furnace Engineering director Brian
Gooden, but he explains, "Tis is in order to ensure
rapid but uniform heat-up rates are achieved."
BAA currently ships 10 MTE sets per month to the
B787 fnal assembly line, and aims for 12 per month
by 2016 and 14 per month by 2020. It will continue
working hand-in-hand with BR&T-A; to develop the
next generation of resin-infused composites to meet
targets for improved performance, rapid processing
and reduced environmental impact.
Read this article online |
short.compositesworld.com/RI-Takeoff
Read more about semi-permeable membranes in
"Semipermeables: Next trend in infusion?" online |
short.compositesworld.com/semiperm
Read more online about FACC's membrane-assisted
resin infusion (MARI) process:
"FACC AG: Aerocomposites Powerhouse" |
short.compositesworld.com/FACCTour
"FACC: Aerospace infusion pioneer" |
short.compositesworld.com/FACC-RI
Read more online about the MS-21 in "Resin-infused
MS-21 wings and wingbox" |
short.compositesworld.com/MS-21wings
Resin infusion: 787 wing's
movable trailing edge
BAA uses resin infusion to manufacture an assortment of
parts which are then assembled (see automated drilling/
riveting machine here) to form the movable trailing edge
for each Boeing 787 wing. Source | Boeing Aerostructures Australia
707 Fulton Ave.
Rockford, IL 61103 USA
815-987-6000
afpm@ingersoll.com
Case Study: Resin Infusion