Process for manufacturing resin-impregnated, reinforced articles without

Abstract

A technique for the manufacture of a resin-impregnated, reinforced article while resin fumes are prevented from escaping into the surrounding atmosphere. In this technique a permeable reinforcing material, for example of fiberglass, is deposited on a mold or on a structure to be reinforced; a sheet of perforated material (preferably flexible) is placed over the reinforcing material, with the marginal areas of this sheet preferably sealed to the mold so as to define an inner chamber; a sheet of impervious flexible material is placed over the sheet of perforated material, with the marginal areas of the impervious sheet sealed to the mold so as to define an outer chamber; the inner chamber is effectively connected to a vacuum source so as to draw the impervious sheet and, along with it the perforated sheet, against the reinforcing material; and the outer chamber is connected to a source of catalyzed resin so that resin is passed from the outer chamber into the reinforcing material through the perforations of the first-mentioned sheet. In this manner the material is substantially evenly impregnated with resin without the escape of resin fumes into the surrounding atmosphere. The articles thus produced are stronger because the reinforcement-to-resin ratio is enhanced. Also, interface adhesion and air inhibiting problems are avoided. A wide range of laminates may be used with this technique and it is suitable in connection with molds and structures of widely different shapes and sizes.