A mold for casting a polymeric aircraft window panel includes a first mold half having a first mold surface, and a second mold half having a second mold surface. The first mold surface and/or the second mold surface have a shape conforming to a final shape for the major surfaces of the aircraft window panel. The first mold half and/or the second mold half can be formed of rolled, hydroformed, or stamped metal.

A method of making a multi-section tank with composite material includes pre-tensioning the composite material, wrapping a soluble tool in the composite material, and curing the composite material around the soluble tool. The composite material is pre-tensioned with force to align fibers in the composite material.

Composite materials with adjustable spectral properties comprised of IR-reflecting micro-domains overlaying an IR-transparent elastomeric matrix, and capable of dynamically controlling IR radiation transmission are described, as well as methods of fabrication thereof. Systems with capabilities to regulate IR radiation (including heat) transmission based thereon, and methods of regulating IR radiation transmission (including thermal regulation) using the same are also provided.

A prepared mold tool having a thermoplastic surface layer polymer coating on the mold surface of the mold tool or prepared prepreg having a thermoplastic surface layer polymer coating on the surface of the thermoplastic fiber reinforced prepreg are described that enhance first ply laydown of thermoplastic fiber reinforced composite prepregs onto mold tools for prepreg forming or in situ tape placement. Resulting thermoplastic fiber reinforced composite parts from a thermoplastic fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite material having structural reinforcement fibers with one or more high performance polymers, and a thermoplastic surface layer polymer coating which forms a polymer blend with the high performance polymers of the thermoplastic fiber reinforced composite material thereby imparting improved properties, and methods for making and using same, are provided herein.

A prepared mold tool having a thermoplastic surface layer polymer coating on the mold surface of the mold tool or prepared prepreg having a thermoplastic surface layer polymer coating on the surface of the thermoplastic fiber reinforced prepreg are described that enhance first ply laydown of thermoplastic fiber reinforced composite prepregs onto mold tools for prepreg forming or in situ tape placement. Resulting thermoplastic fiber reinforced composite parts from a thermoplastic fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite material having structural reinforcement fibers with one or more high performance polymers, and a thermoplastic surface layer polymer coating which forms a polymer blend with the high performance polymers of the thermoplastic fiber reinforced composite material thereby imparting improved properties, and methods for making and using same, are provided herein.

According to some aspects, a method is provided of casting an object from a mold, the method comprising obtaining a mold comprising a hollow shell of rigid material, the material comprising a thermoset polymer having a plurality of pores formed therein, providing a metal and/or ceramic slurry into an interior of the mold, exposing at least part of the mold to a low pressure environment so that a net flow of gas is produced from the interior of the mold into the low pressure environment. According to some aspects, a method of forming a porous mold is provided. According to some aspects, a photocurable liquid composition is provided, comprising a liquid photopolymer resin, particles of a solid material, in an amount between 30% and 60% by volume of the composition, and a water-soluble liquid.

A mould for hot forging includes a first half-mould and a second half-mould. The first and second half-moulds each include a mould holder having a recess and a die provided with an impression. The die is combined with the mould holder at the recess. At least one of the first half-mould and the second half-mould is provided with at least one feeding channel for a lubricating-cooling liquid, extending from an outer wall of the mould holder to the recess of the mould holder, and with a plurality of distribution channels for the lubricating-cooling liquid. At least one quota of the plurality of distribution channels includes distribution channels extending from a wall of the die facing the recess, to the impression. The at least one feeding channel and the distribution channels face at least one gap formed between the mould holder and the respective die at the recess.

According to some aspects, a method is provided of casting an object from a mold, the method comprising obtaining a mold comprising a hollow shell of rigid material, the material comprising a thermoset polymer having a plurality of pores formed therein, providing a metal and/or ceramic slurry into an interior of the mold, exposing at least part of the mold to a low pressure environment so that a net flow of gas is produced from the interior of the mold into the low pressure environment. According to some aspects, a method of forming a porous mold is provided. According to some aspects, a photocurable liquid composition is provided, comprising a liquid photopolymer resin, particles of a solid material, in an amount between 30% and 60% by volume of the composition, and a water-soluble liquid.

Surface material of a mold molding surface and surface treatment method. A molding surface of material including metal and in which the molding surface reaches 50° C. or higher during molding is subjected to rapid thermal processing by injecting a substantially spherical shot with a hardness equal to or greater than the surface hardness of the mold and a size of #220 (JIS R6001-1973) or smaller at an injection pressure of 0.2 MPa or more and bombarding the surface with the shot, causing the temperature to rise locally and instantaneously at a bombarded portion to refine the surface structure of the surface and to form numerous smooth arc-shaped indentations on the entire surface of the surface. Then, powder including titanium having size of #100 or smaller is injected at an injection pressure of 0.2 MPa or more to form a coating of titanium oxide on the surface of the surface.

Surface material of a mold molding surface and surface treatment method. A molding surface of material including metal and in which the molding surface reaches 50° C. or higher during molding is subjected to rapid thermal processing by injecting a substantially spherical shot with a hardness equal to or greater than the surface hardness of the mold and a size of #220 (JIS R6001-1973) or smaller at an injection pressure of 0.2 MPa or more and bombarding the surface with the shot, causing the temperature to rise locally and instantaneously at a bombarded portion to refine the surface structure of the surface and to form numerous smooth arc-shaped indentations on the entire surface of the surface. Then, powder including titanium having size of #100 or smaller is injected at an injection pressure of 0.2 MPa or more to form a coating of titanium oxide on the surface of the surface.