According to one implementation, a preform shaping apparatus includes a rigid mold and a pressurizing jig. The rigid mold has a shape corresponding to a shape of a preform which has been shaped. The pressurizing jig presses an unshaped material of the preform to the rigid mold at different positions and different timings. Further, according to one implementation, a method of shaping a preform includes: producing the shaped preform by pressing an unshaped material of the preform to a rigid mold at different positions and different timings; and using a pressurizing jig for pressing the material. The rigid mold has a shape corresponding to a shape of the preform. The pressurizing jig is adapted to apply pressures on the material at the different positions and the different timings.

A drape forming apparatus for use in forming a composite structure. The apparatus includes a forming tool including an upper forming surface and at least one side forming surface that extends from the upper forming surface. The forming tool receives at least one layer of composite material over the upper forming surface. The apparatus also includes a flange forming device including a tray coplanarly aligned with the upper forming surface when in a first operating position. The tray is configured to receive a flange portion of the at least one layer of composite material. A pressurized bladder extends over the forming tool and the tray. The pressurized bladder is configured to induce a first force against the tray such that the tray rotates about a pivot line, and such that the flange portion is withdrawn from the tray and draped over the at least one side forming surface.

A bladder bag is a mold for molding inside of a composite material structure. The composite material structure includes a narrow portion formed by narrowing a part of the inside and a space portion formed so as to be adjacent to the narrow portion. The bladder bag includes a bladder bag main body and a cord-like member. The bladder bag main body includes a narrow molding portion for molding the narrow portion of the composite material structure, a space molding portion for molding the space portion of the composite material structure, and an air intake for introducing air. The cord-like member is provided inside the bladder bag main body, passes through the narrow molding portion from the air intake, and is connected to an inner surface of the space molding portion.

This flexible mandrel for molding a composite material containing a thermosetting resin includes: a main body containing a first material; and a thermally conductive layer containing a second material having a higher thermal conductivity than the first material, the thermally conductive layer being formed so as to cover at least a portion of the main body. The thermally conductive layer extends from a contacting surface of the flexible mandrel, which comes into contact with the composite material during molding, to a non-contacting surface which does not come into contact with the composite material.

Devices, systems, and methods of improving heat transfer between a composite wind turbine blade surface are provided to reduce cure time. The assembly includes molds having heating wires disposed proximate the mold surface for delivering heat to the composite blade during layup and/or resin cure. Additionally, the vacuum bag disposed on top of the composite part includes a plurality of fluid channels for distributing a thermal fluid (e.g. heated/cooled water, air or oil) across the composite surface (opposite the mold surface).

Devices, systems, and methods of improving heat transfer between a composite wind turbine blade surface are provided to reduce cure time. The assembly includes molds having heating wires disposed proximate the mold surface for delivering heat to the composite blade during layup and/or resin cure. Additionally, the vacuum bag disposed on top of the composite part includes a plurality of fluid channels for distributing a thermal fluid (e.g. heated/cooled water, air or oil) across the composite surface (opposite the mold surface).

A process of bonding different constituent materials of different tensile strengths in a single step in an isostatic high pressure reactor in order to produce a composite material.

A process of bonding different constituent materials of different tensile strengths in a single step in an isostatic high pressure reactor in order to produce a composite material.

The present invention provides an epoxy resin composition comprising at least the following component [A], component [B] and component [C], the epoxy resin composition being characterized in that: the mixture of component [A] and component [B] is a mixture that, when temperature is increased at 2 C./min, begins to thicken at temperature (T1) and completes thickening at temperature (T2), temperature (T1) being 80-110 C. and temperature (T1) and temperature (T2) satisfying the relationship of expression (1) 5 C.(T2T1)20 C. expression (1); and the mixture of component [A] and component [C] is a mixture that, when temperature is increased at 2 C./min, begins to cure at temperature (T3), temperature (T1) and temperature (T3) satisfying the relationship of expression (2) 5 C.(T3T1)80 C. expression (2). Component [A]: epoxy resin Component [B]: thickening particle Component [C]: curing agent.

The present invention provides an epoxy resin composition comprising at least the following component [A], component [B] and component [C], the epoxy resin composition being characterized in that: the mixture of component [A] and component [B] is a mixture that, when temperature is increased at 2 C./min, begins to thicken at temperature (T1) and completes thickening at temperature (T2), temperature (T1) being 80-110 C. and temperature (T1) and temperature (T2) satisfying the relationship of expression (1) 5 C.(T2T1)20 C. expression (1); and the mixture of component [A] and component [C] is a mixture that, when temperature is increased at 2 C./min, begins to cure at temperature (T3), temperature (T1) and temperature (T3) satisfying the relationship of expression (2) 5 C.(T3T1)80 C. expression (2). Component [A]: epoxy resin Component [B]: thickening particle Component [C]: curing agent.