New generation elastomer for composites tooling
A specially compounded high temperature fluorocarbon material is helping BAE Systems Samlesbury to produce highly complex carbon fibre composite components.
BAE asked James Walker to develop a new generation elastomer with good levels of conformability and tack in its uncured state, for semi-rigid tooling applications as part of the vacuum-bagging process in composite manufacturing.
The resulting material is known commercially as Elast-O-Cure FR Grade A. Its cure rate complements that of standard 180°C pre-impregnation carbon fibre/epoxy resin systems in an autoclave cure with four hours dwell at 180°C.
Elast-O-Cure FR Grade A has a nominal hardness of 65 IRHD after six minutes of cure, rising to 75 IRHD after a full cure cycle.
The product has been laboratory tested and subject to production trials by BAE Systems. It is now in production use, displaying long-term thermal stability with good mechanical properties.
Photo caption: Tooling for carbon composite duct frames. Photo by courtesy of BAE Systems.
13 Mar 08
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