Open AccessA Review on Fabrication of Thermoset Prepreg Composites using Out-of-Autoclave Technology
Author(s) -
Feroz Shaik,
Ramakrishna Malkapuram,
P. Dhaval Varma
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
incas buletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.282
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 2247-4528
pISSN - 2066-8201
DOI - 10.13111/2066-8201.2021.13.2.13
Subject(s) - aerospace , autoclave , manufacturing engineering , process engineering , materials science , process (computing) , computer science , engineering , metallurgy , aerospace engineering , operating system
Autoclave is the technology that has been extensively used to manufacture high-grade performance composite parts for aerospace applications. This technology has been limited to aerospace industries only, primarily due to its high cost in manufacturing parts. The researchers then considered an alternative approach “Out-of-autoclave” (OOA) process, aiming at cost and time optimization. Non-autoclave methods such as OOA cure processes have been developed lately. The OOA process has a high potential for a drastic cost reduction in the manufacturing of composite aerospace structures. It processes parts that have a quality similar to that of parts cured using the autoclave technology. Specially designed OOA prepregs are available in the market for OOA processing, some of which are certified for aerospace manufacturing. This review paper briefly focuses on OOA prepregs and OOA processes that are used for aerospace components manufacturing. Future areas of development in the aerospace sector based on cost optimization and faster cycle times are also discussed in this paper.