The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 30, 1997
Filed:
Mar. 20, 1992
Clayton A May, Watsonville, CA (US);
Walter V Breitigam, Katy, TX (US);
Ronald S Bauer, Houston, TX (US);
Shell Oil Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A process for preparing thermoset composite articles under relatively mild conditions includes exposing a laminate containing a partially-cured thermosettable resin and a fibrous substrate to an elevated temperature which increases over time, the elevated temperature being below the glass transition temperature of the resin but sufficient to promote further curing and increase the glass transition temperature thereof to the ultimate glass transition temperature of the resin. The temperature of exposure is generally increased at a rate which maintains the temperature within about 20.degree. C. below the glass transition temperature of the thermoset-table resin, so that cure of the resin proceeds in the glassy state. The pressure during the process is generally maintained below about 50 psi and is preferably atmospheric pressure. The process enables the production of thermoset composite articles suitable for high-performance applications without lengthy autoclave treatments.