Continuous processing/in-situ curing of incrementally applied resin

Abstract

A method for continuous processing/in-situ consolidation and curing of thermoset resin impregnated fiber tow into a composite product having minimal porosity and being relatively void free. The method provides for preconditioning a fiber, impregnating a continuous fiber tow with a low viscosity thermoset resin to complete saturation and then simultaneously outgassing and advancing the resin impregnated tow. The preconditioned tow is then applied to a substrate such as a heated rotating mandrel in a filament winding procedure where heat is applied to the nip of the touch-down of the tow to the mandrel with the simultaneous application of pressure for initial consolidation of the tow upon the substrate. Additional pressure and heat are applied to the tow as the mandrel is rotated to provide for advancing the stage of the resin and further consolidation of the material. The combination of the pressures and heat applied to the outer surface of the material on the mandrel produce a unitary composite product without delaminations. Preferably, the serial continuous process is monitored using an appropriate inspection method focused on the material on the mandrel to permit in-line optimization of the product as it is being consolidated and cured on the mandrel. The method is equally applicable to various automated resin matrix composite material deposition arrangements such as filament winding, tape laying, and pultrusion.