The Manufacture of Composite Components and Mould Tools Using Low Temperature Moulding Prepregs Available to Purchase

THE applications of advanced fibre reinforced composite materials for the manufacture of lightweight stable components have rapidly expanded in the aerospace and other industries in recent years. Typically, these components are produced from woven fabrics or unidirectional tapes of carbon, aramid or glass fibre, preimpregnated with partially cured or ‘B‐staged’ epoxy resins. Layers of this ‘prepreg’ material are laid onto a mould tool to form the component which is then cured in an autoclave at temperatures around 180°C under a consolidating pressure of 1001bf/in2.