Presented are repair systems for fixing filler-reinforced polymer structures, methods for making/using such repair systems, and techniques for repairing surface damage/defects of multidimensional fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) panels. A repair system for fixing a contoured surface of an FRP structure includes a flexible contact sheet that is fabricated from a thermally stable polymer, and has a textured contact surface that seats on the FRP structure and overlays the damaged area. A rigid cover sheet, which may be fabricated from a metal material, a polymeric material, and/or resin-impregnated fiber, has a complementary surface that conforms to the contoured surface of the FRP structure and covers the flexible contact sheet. The repair system also includes a heating element that lays against the rigid cover sheet and applies heat to the contoured surface with a substantially uniform profile that is sufficient to soften/melt portions of the FRP structure neighboring the damaged area.

A method for repairing composite components includes positioning repair material within a repair region of a composite component formed of a composite material. Furthermore, the method includes heating the repair region to a first temperature. Additionally, the method includes heating a remaining portion of the composite component to a second temperature. Moreover, the method includes melt infiltrating the repair region with an infiltrant to densify the repair material. The first temperature is at or above a melting point of the infiltrant and the second temperature is less than the melting point.

A method for repairing composite components includes positioning repair material within a repair region of a composite component formed of a composite material. Furthermore, the method includes heating the repair region to a first temperature. Additionally, the method includes heating a remaining portion of the composite component to a second temperature. Moreover, the method includes melt infiltrating the repair region with an infiltrant to densify the repair material. The first temperature is at or above a melting point of the infiltrant and the second temperature is less than the melting point.

The bonding apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus that bonds a patch containing a reinforcing fiber to a bonded section of a corner section CR of an object member. The bonding apparatus has s heater mat, a pushing member, a bag member having a decompression port, a mold releasing film, a breather, a heater mat and a sealant. A pushing member has a first cowl plate, a second cowl plate and an elastic pressuring body. A pressuring section of the pushing member has the surface shape corresponding to a corner section design value after the patch is bonded. By protruding from a gap between a first cowl plate and a second cowl plate to a direction of the corner section CR, the patch is pushed to the bonded section and the generation of a wrinkle in the reinforcing fiber can be prevented.

The bonding apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus that bonds a patch containing a reinforcing fiber to a bonded section of a corner section CR of an object member. The bonding apparatus has s heater mat, a pushing member, a bag member having a decompression port, a mold releasing film, a breather, a heater mat and a sealant. A pushing member has a first cowl plate, a second cowl plate and an elastic pressuring body. A pressuring section of the pushing member has the surface shape corresponding to a corner section design value after the patch is bonded. By protruding from a gap between a first cowl plate and a second cowl plate to a direction of the corner section CR, the patch is pushed to the bonded section and the generation of a wrinkle in the reinforcing fiber can be prevented.

The invention relates to achieve a rapid, reproducible and reliable characterization of the quality of ply-by-ply machining of multilayer materials. This method for inspecting ply-by-ply machining of a part (10) made of multilayer composite material under repair by machining a ply-by-ply staggered or continuously sloped cut out in a stack of plies of various successive orientations includes taking images (IA to ID), under lighting of different orientations (12), of a surface area (10a) of the machined part (10) to be inspected; performing an analysis by comparing the images (IA to ID) pixel by pixel (P0) in order to define the orientation of each pixel (P0) as corresponding to that of the image in which this pixel has a higher brightness; if the pixel has a similar brightness in all the images (IA ID), this pixel (Pr) is attributed to a resin; constructing a map (5) in units of ply of the surface area to be inspected (10a) by applying the preceding analysis to all of the pixels; estimating a machining quality level from the map (5) produced, and archiving (2m) each map (5) thus produced as a machining result.

Methods and apparatus for fabricating adhesive bonded joints while minimizing the voids and/or porosity found in the cured bondline. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus comprises an evacuation chamber combined with a pressure inducing device to produce bonded joints that are both void free and thoroughly compacted. The surfaces to be bonded are continuously evacuated throughout the bonding process (pre-mating, mating, debulking and cure). Continuous evacuation is provided via standard vacuum, while the induced pressure can be pneumatically or mechanically provided.

Methods and apparatus for fabricating adhesive bonded joints while minimizing the voids and/or porosity found in the cured bondline. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus comprises an evacuation chamber combined with a pressure inducing device to produce bonded joints that are both void free and thoroughly compacted. The surfaces to be bonded are continuously evacuated throughout the bonding process (pre-mating, mating, debulking and cure). Continuous evacuation is provided via standard vacuum, while the induced pressure can be pneumatically or mechanically provided.

A method is provided for working on a composite body. This method includes: disposing material within an aperture in the composite body, the material comprising fiber reinforcement and uncured resin, and the aperture extending into the composite body from a non-planar surface; forming a first chamber between the composite body and a first bag member, the material within the first chamber; disposing a support structure on the first bag member, the support structure overlapping the material; forming a second chamber between the first bag member and a second bag member, the support structure within the second chamber; drawing a vacuum of a first amount in the first chamber; and drawing a vacuum of a second amount in the second chamber.

A method is provided for working on a composite body. This method includes: disposing material within an aperture in the composite body, the material comprising fiber reinforcement and uncured resin, and the aperture extending into the composite body from a non-planar surface; forming a first chamber between the composite body and a first bag member, the material within the first chamber; disposing a support structure on the first bag member, the support structure overlapping the material; forming a second chamber between the first bag member and a second bag member, the support structure within the second chamber; drawing a vacuum of a first amount in the first chamber; and drawing a vacuum of a second amount in the second chamber.