The invention includes a method of bonding a perfluoroelastomer material to first surface that includes: (a) contacting a first surface with a bonding agent comprising a curable perfluoropolymer and a curing agent; (b) curing the bonding agent to form a perfluoroelastomer material that is bonded to the first surface. In the practice of such method, the bonding agent may be a solution prepared by dissolving the curable perfluoroelastomer and the curing agent in a solvent. In an embodiment of the invention, the perfluoroelastomer material formed in step (b) is a coating layer or, alternatively, the first surface is a surface of a perfluoroelastomer member and the perfluoroelastomer material formed is a perfluoroelastomer weld.

Composite fabrication system and associated methods. In one embodiment, a composite fabrication system comprises a molding tool that includes a forming surface at least partially disposed within a constrained space, and a foamable material that expands inside of the constrained space to form an expanded material that presses a layup of one or more composite layers against the molding tool. The composite fabrication system further comprises a curing device configured to cure the layup to form a composite part, and a cutting wire embedded in the constrained space that is heated and configured to cut the expanded material into pieces that are removable from the constrained space.

Composite fabrication system and associated methods. In one embodiment, a composite fabrication system comprises a molding tool that includes a forming surface at least partially disposed within a constrained space, and a foamable material that expands inside of the constrained space to form an expanded material that presses a layup of one or more composite layers against the molding tool. The composite fabrication system further comprises a curing device configured to cure the layup to form a composite part, and a cutting wire embedded in the constrained space that is heated and configured to cut the expanded material into pieces that are removable from the constrained space.

Composite fabrication system and associated methods. In one embodiment, a composite fabrication system comprises a molding tool that includes a forming surface at least partially disposed within a constrained space, and a foamable material that expands inside of the constrained space to form an expanded material that presses a layup of one or more composite layers against the molding tool. The composite fabrication system further comprises a curing device configured to cure the layup to form a composite part, and a cutting wire embedded in the constrained space that is heated and configured to cut the expanded material into pieces that are removable from the constrained space.

Composite fabrication system and associated methods. In one embodiment, a composite fabrication system comprises a molding tool that includes a forming surface at least partially disposed within a constrained space, and a foamable material that expands inside of the constrained space to form an expanded material that presses a layup of one or more composite layers against the molding tool. The composite fabrication system further comprises a curing device configured to cure the layup to form a composite part, and a cutting wire embedded in the constrained space that is heated and configured to cut the expanded material into pieces that are removable from the constrained space.

A material system may include: an aluminum layer; a glass composite layer adjacent to the first aluminum layer; and a carbon composite layer adjacent to the first glass composite layer, and opposite to the first aluminum layer. A method of manufacturing a material system may include: stacking an aluminum layer, glass composite layer that may include thermoplastic prepreg plies, and carbon composite layer so that the aluminum layer is adjacent to the glass composite layer, and the glass composite layer is adjacent to the carbon composite layer; and consolidating the thermoplastic prepreg plies to soften the aluminum layer. A method of manufacturing a material system may include: stacking an aluminum layer, glass composite layer that comprises thermoplastic resin, and carbon composite layer so that the glass composite layer is between the aluminum and carbon composite layers; and adjusting temperature and pressure to consolidate the stack.

A pipe fitting (100) includes a tubular connecting part (101); the tubular connecting part being configured to be inserted into an expanded pipe end section (111) of a pipe (110) having a first circumferential intact sealing region (113) on the inner surface (112) of the pipe end section (111); the tubular connecting part comprising a first radially outwards extending circumferential sealing barb (105′) positioned for engaging, when in use, with the first circumferential intact sealing region during shrinkage of the pipe end section for forming a sealing between the pipe fitting and the pipe.

A preform-charge fixture creates a preform charge, which is a partially consolidated assemblage of preforms that can be efficiently transferred to a mold to create a finished part in a molding process, such as compression molding. In the illustrative embodiment, the preform-charge fixture includes peripheral cleats that are movable towards a central cleat to create a small gap therebetween that receives and constrains preforms in a desired position. The fixture also includes clamps, which are operable to engage an uppermost layer of preforms in the gap and apply a slight amount of downward pressure thereto to assure that the preforms are properly seated. The fixture also accommodates an energy source that heats the preforms so that, in conjunction with downforce applied by the clamps and/or gravity, the preforms can be tacked together, forming the preform charge.

A preform-charge fixture creates a preform charge, which is a partially consolidated assemblage of preforms that can be efficiently transferred to a mold to create a finished part in a molding process, such as compression molding. In the illustrative embodiment, the preform-charge fixture includes peripheral cleats that are movable towards a central cleat to create a small gap therebetween that receives and constrains preforms in a desired position. The fixture also includes clamps, which are operable to engage an uppermost layer of preforms in the gap and apply a slight amount of downward pressure thereto to assure that the preforms are properly seated. The fixture also accommodates an energy source that heats the preforms so that, in conjunction with downforce applied by the clamps and/or gravity, the preforms can be tacked together, forming the preform charge.

A build plate, a mold, a sheet of perforated metal foil, and a sheet of pre-preg fibers are disclosed for use in 3D printers. The build plate and mold are designed so that the build surface of the mold is automatically and implicitly registered in the coordinate system of the printer. The mold, the sheet of perforated metal foil, and the sheet of pre-preg fibers provide a mechanism for precisely controlling the amount of adhesion experienced by the nascent article of manufacture at each location of the build surface.