8 Apr 2014
ERJ staff report (BC)
Differdange, Luxembourg – Composites specialist Airtech has developed Airflex, an uncured silicone rubber which has been specially formulated for use as a pressure intensifier on complex-shaped composite parts during vacuum bagging.
The company says that Airflex can also be used to protect vacuum bags from puncture due to bolt heads. Uncured Airflex can be applied over a release film on a prepreg lay-up, where it will cure out in the early stages of cure and will then apply pressure intensification through the prepreg curing stage. Alternatively Airflex can be cured out on its own at 125°C in 20 minutes, and then used as a cured intensifier over prepreg lay-ups.
Claimed benefits include: improved part quality; reduced rework; elimination of bridging; reduction of scrap; makes bagging complex parts easier; cures out quickly for fast pre-moulding.
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