Improving the Energy Efficiency of Autoclave Equipment by Optimizing the Technology of Manufacturing Parts from Polymer Composite Materials

Abstract

Autoclaves used for the manufacture of parts from polymer composite materials (PCM) for structural purposes are equipment that consumes a significant amount of energy. In the manufacture of parts of a monolithic design from PCM in 2 transitions in order to reduce energy consumption, it was proposed: during the first molding, reduce the main exposure time, which reduced the operating time of the autoclave tens. In the workpiece, the complete polymerization of the adhesive binder occurs during the second molding transition. Also, it was proposed to manufacture parts of a honeycomb structure from adhesive prepregs for one molding with an autoclave under-molding at an elevated temperature instead of the first molding. The formation of a monolithic zone of honeycomb parts in one cycle eliminated the formation of unacceptable defects: "delamination" and "increased attenuation of the ultrasonic signal." A change in the technology of molding PCM parts has reduced manufacturing time, labor and energy consumption compared to the previously used mode in 2 transitions. The quality of gluing parts according to this advanced technology is confirmed by the results of acoustic control and mechanical tests.