|
 Fiber
Innovations has
placed considerable
emphasis on
the
development
of
in-house resin
transfer molding
for the fabrication
of high performance
structural
composites. Resin
transfer
molding
produces
parts
to net shape
with good
surface finish,
low void
content
and required
levels of
fiber volume.
Raw
material
costs
for the resin
transfer
molding
process are
significantly
lower than
those associated
with pre-impregnated
materials.
Being a “closed
mold” process
capable
of
automation,
resin transfer
molding
does
not pose
the health
and environmental
risks associated
with traditional
methods
of
resin impregnation.
Resin
transfer molding
is a logical
choice for the
impregnation of
dry fiber preforms. Braided
preforms can
be held in inventory
indefinitely
without concern
for resin out-times
and cure schedules. As
separate processes,
braiding and
RTM schedules
can be designed
for optimum production
rates. The RTM
production area
can be configured
to operate a
variety of molds
simultaneously
to accommodate
the diversity
of preforms being
produced by the
braiding operation.
Fiber
Innovations utilizes
a variety of
resins (for example,
epoxy, BMI, Phenolic
Triazine) for
the RTM process
and has the capability
to process resins
which provide
service temperatures
of up to 600°F.
The
use of process
controls aids
in the assurance
of quality in
molded parts
at Fiber
Innovations. Meter-mix-dispense
equipment eliminates
hand mixing and
injection procedures. Programmable
temperature
controllers regulate
the changes in
temperature required
for successful
RTM processing.
Thermal chart
recorders are
employed to provide
processing traceability
to ensure high
quality molded
composite parts. |
