Method and semi-finished item for producing composite products and the products thus obtained

Abstract

A method for producing products made of composite material, including the following operating steps: placing between a first mould and at least a second mould at least one layer of composite material fibre fabric and at least a first layer of composite material fibres, wherein a layer of non-polymerized, composite material resin, substantially free of hardener, is placed between the fabric layer and the first mould; injecting resin and hardener between the first mould and the second mould to impregnate the layer and the first fibre layer with the injected resin and polymerizing the injected resin and the resin layer with the injected hardener. A semi-finished item which can be used in this method and to a product made using this method and/or with this semi-finished item.

Claims

1. A method for producing products made of composite material, comprising the following steps: placing between a first mold and a second mold a fabric layer of composite material fiber fabric and a first fiber layer of composite material fibers; placing a liquid resin layer of non-polymerized, composite material resin, free of hardener to retain an adhesive characteristic, between the fabric layer and the first mold to adhere the fabric layer to the first mold and thereby prevent displacement of the fabric layer during resin injection; injecting resin and hardener between the first mold and the second mold to impregnate the fabric layer and the first fiber layer with the injected resin and polymerizing the injected resin and the resin layer with the injected hardener.

2. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising placing a thermoplastic film between the fabric layer and the first fiber layer.

3. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising placing a second fiber layer between the first fiber layer and the second mold before injecting the resin between the first mold and the second mold, so that the second fiber layer is also impregnated with the injected resin.

4. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising placing a spacer between the first fiber layer and the second fiber layer before injecting the resin between the first mold and the second mold.

5. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising applying the resin layer on the fabric layer before placing the fabric layer on the first mold.

6. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising providing that the resin layer is in contact with the first mold when the fabric layer is placed between the first mold and the second mold.

7. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising providing that the hardener injected between the first mold and the second mold comprises a first quantity of hardener sufficient to polymerize the injected resin and a second quantity of hardener sufficient to also polymerize the resin layer placed on the fabric layer.

8. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising, before injecting the resin between the first mold and the second mold, covering the fabric layer with a vacuum sack and pressing the fabric layer onto the first mold by pumping air out, wherein the vacuum sack comprises a non-perforated peeling film.

9. The method according to claim 2, and further comprising, before injecting the resin between the first mold and the second mold, covering the fabric layer and the first fiber layer with a vacuum sack and pressing the fabric layer and the first fiber layer onto the first mold by pumping air out while heating to compress and at least partly melt the thermoplastic film to join the fabric layer to the first fiber layer.

10. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising pressing the fabric layer before placing the fabric layer between the first mold and the second mold.

11. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising injecting the resin between the first mold and the second mold through a first nozzle disposed at an edge of the fabric layer or of the first layer so that resin injection occurs in a direction which is substantially tangential to the edge.

12. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising, when injecting the resin between the first mold and the second mold, extracting air from the first and the second molds through a second nozzle disposed at an edge of the fabric layer or of the first layer so that air extraction occurs in a direction which is substantially tangential to the edge.

13. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising providing that the resin injected between the first mold and the second mold is a same resin as the resin layer applied on the fabric layer.

14. The method according to claim 2, and further comprising providing that the thermoplastic film comprises a mesh of nylon, polypropylene, ABS, PLA, polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate.

15. The method according to claim 2, and further comprising providing that the fabric layer comprises a dry carbon fiber fabric with a uniform weave pattern.

16. The method according to claim 2, and further comprising providing that the fabric layer has a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.3 mm and/or a grammage of between 230 and 260 g/m2.

17. The method according to claim 2, and further comprising applying the resin layer on the fabric layer in a quantity of between 2% and 7% by weight of the fabric layer.

18. A method for producing products made of composite material, comprising the following steps: placing between a first mold and a second mold a fabric layer of composite material fiber fabric and a first fiber layer of composite material fibers; placing a resin layer of non-polymerized, composite material resin, free of hardener, between the fabric layer and the first mold; injecting resin and hardener between the first mold and the second mold to impregnate the fabric layer and the first fiber layer with the injected resin and polymerizing the injected resin and the resin layer with the injected hardener; placing a spacer between the first fiber layer and the second fiber layer before injecting the resin between the first mold and the second mold.

19. A method for producing products made of composite material, comprising the following steps: placing between a first mold and a second mold a fabric layer of composite material fiber fabric and a first fiber layer of composite material fibers; placing a resin layer of non-polymerized, composite material resin, free of hardener, between the fabric layer and the first mold; injecting resin and hardener between the first mold and the second mold to impregnate the fabric layer and the first fiber layer with the injected resin and polymerizing the injected resin and the resin layer with the injected hardener; providing that the fabric layer has a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.3 mm and/or a grammage of between 230 and 260 g/m2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and features of the method, semi-finished item and product according to this invention will become clearer to those well versed in the trade from the following detailed, non-limiting description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preliminary operating step of this method;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of the semi-finished item obtained from the preliminary operating step;

(4) FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 are schematic cross sections of further operating steps of the method;

(5) FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 are enlarged views of the details IV, VI, VIII, X, XII, XIV, XVI and XVIII from FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows a preliminary operating step of the method for making a semi-finished item, whereby at least one layer 1 of fibre fabric is preferably pressed, for example with a calender 2, in such a way as to eliminate all gaps between weft and warp and to increase yarn tension so as to make the fabric structure more compact. The fabric layer 1 is preferably a fabric of fibres for composite materials, specifically carbon fibres, having a substantially uniform weft and/or a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.8 mm, specifically between 0.2 and 0.3 mm: for example, a carbon fibre fabric with “Twill”, “Plain”, “Satin”, “Braided”, “Unidirectional” or other type of uniform and/or regular weave pattern, specifically having a grammage of between 230 and 260 g/m2. Preferably, the fabric of the fabric layer 1 is substantially dry, that is, it contains a quantity of additives, such as adhesives or fixatives, which is less than 10% by weight. At least one layer of non-polymerized, composite material resin 3, substantially free of hardener, specifically an epoxy resin, is applied on at least one surface of the outer layer 1, in particular by means of a nebulizer 4. The resin 3 may, for example, be XB 3518 resin made by Huntsman Corporation, and is applied on the outer layer 1 in a quantity of between 2% and 7% by weight of the outer layer 1, specifically between 5 and 19 g/m2, and more specifically, approximately 12 g/m2. A protective sheet 5, specifically of plastic material such as Mylar, for example, which does not absorb humidity and thus does not shrink if ambient humidity varies, is applied by a calender 6 on the surface of the fabric 1 provided with the resin 3, which is thus covered by the protective sheet 5. This prevents creases from forming in the fabric 1 and keeps the layer of resin 3 in its original state, substantially unchanged by ambient conditions, in particular by preventing the polymerization process from starting. Therefore, since the resin 3 is not activated, the protective sheet 5 is applied removably on the layer of resin 3.

(7) A thermoplastic film 7, preferably comprising at least one mesh of nylon, polypropylene, ABS, PLA, polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate is applied by a calender 8 on the surface of the outer layer 1 opposite to the surface which is provided with the resin layer 3. The fabric layer 1 thus obtained is then cut into a predetermined shape by a cutting machine 9 and the resulting semi-finished item 10 can be rolled up and/or enclosed in a sealed bag 11 to prevent contamination by external agents, such as humidity or volatile carbon during storage.

(8) FIG. 2 shows the semi-finished item 10 comprising the fabric layer 1 which is provided with the resin layer 3 covered by the protective sheet 5, joined to the thermoplastic film 7 and inserted in the bag 11.

(9) With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it may be observed that in a first step of the method, the semi-finished item 10 is extracted from the bag 11, separated from the protective sheet 5 and placed on a first mould 12 whose functional surface is preferably convex and/or made of composite material, in particular containing carbon fibre, with the resin layer 3 positioned between the outer layer 1 and the first mould 12. The thermoplastic film 7 is thus on the side opposite the first mould 12.

(10) With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it may be observed that in the next step of the method, the outer layer 1 is covered with a vacuum sack 13 and pressed onto the first mould 12 by pumping the air out so that the air pressure inside the vacuum sack 13 is reduced, in particular below 130 mbar. The vacuum sack 13 comprises a non-perforated peeling film 14 to prevent suction from being applied to the resin 3 deposited on the fabric 1, as well as a nylon bleeder 15 whose grammage is lower than the grammage of prior art bleeders used in prepreg methods, specifically a grammage less than 180 g/m2, and more specifically, approximately 170 g/m2.

(11) With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, it may be observed that in the next step of the method, the vacuum sack 13 is removed from the outer layer 1 and at least a first inner fibre layer 16, preferably comprising one or more dry carbon fibre fabrics for structural applications, is applied on the outer layer 1. In particular, the first inner layer 16 has a grammage of between 700 and 900 g/m2 and/or a thickness of between 1 and 8 mm. At least one spacer 17 made of plastic material, preferably expanded plastic material, may be placed on the first inner layer 16, which is then covered completely or partly by the spacer 17. At least one surface of the first inner layer 16, specifically the surface opposite the outer layer 1, may be provided with a binder 18—for example, thermoplastic wires mixed with the carbon fibres or an adhesive film.

(12) With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, it may be observed that in the next step of the method, the outer layer 1 and the first inner layer 16, with the spacer 17, if present, may be covered with a vacuum sack 19—for example, one that is the same as the vacuum sack 13—and pressed onto the first mould 12 by pumping the air out. At the same time, the layers 1 and 16 are heated to a temperature between 70° and 90° C., for example by infrared radiators, in such a way as to compress and at least partly melt the thermoplastic film 7 to join the outer layer 1 to the first inner layer 16 and the first inner layer 16 to the spacer 17 by means of the binder 18.

(13) With reference now to FIGS. 11 and 12, it may be observed that in the next step of the method, the vacuum sack 19 is removed from the first inner layer 16 and at least a second inner layer 20, preferably comprising one or more dry carbon fibre fabrics for structural applications, can be applied on the first inner layer 16 and/or on the spacer 17, if present. In particular, the second inner layer 20 has a grammage of between 700 and 900 g/m2 and/or a thickness of between 1 and 8 mm. At least one surface of the second inner layer 20, specifically the surface facing the outer layer 1, may be provided with a binder 21—for example, thermoplastic wires mixed with the carbon fibres or an adhesive film.

(14) With reference now to FIGS. 13 and 14, it may be observed that in the next step of the method, the outer layer 1 the first inner layer 16 and the second inner layer 20, with the spacer 17, if present, may be covered with a vacuum sack 22—for example, one that is the same as the vacuum sack 13—and pressed onto the first mould 12 by pumping the air out. At the same time, the layers 1, 16 and 20 are heated to a temperature between 70° and 90° C., for example by infrared radiators, in such a way as to join the second inner layer 20 to the spacer 17 by means of the binder 21.

(15) With reference now to FIGS. 15 and 16, it may be observed that in the next step of the method, the outer layer 1 the first inner layer 16 and the second inner layer 20, with the spacer 17, if present, are covered by at least a second mould 23 in such a way that the layers 1, 16 and 20 are positioned at least between the first mould 12 and the second mould 23 in a cavity which is hermetically closed by at least one perimeter seal placed between the moulds. Preferably, the functional surface of the second mould 23 is concave and/or made of composite material, in particular containing carbon fibre. The moulds 12, 23 are then fixed to each other and heated—for example in an oven at a temperature of between 45 and 90° C. —after which resin and hardener are injected between the moulds 12, 23 through at least a first nozzle 24 in order to impregnate the layers 1, 16, 20. At the same time, air is extracted from the moulds 12, 23 through at least a second nozzle 25 in the same way as, for example, in an RTM method. The nozzles 24 and/or 25 are preferably positioned at least at one edge of the layers 1, 16 and/or 20 so that injection and/or extraction occur in directions which are substantially tangential to that edge.

(16) The hardener mixed with the resin injected through the first nozzle 24 comprises a first quantity of hardener sufficient to polymerize this resin and a second quantity of hardener sufficient to also polymerize the resin 3 applied on the outer layer 1. Preferably, the resin injected into the moulds 12, 23 is the same as the resin 3 applied on the outer layer 1, specifically an epoxy resin such as, for example, XB 3518 resin made by Huntsman Corporation. Preferably, the first and second quantities of hardener include a hardener which is compatible both with the injected resin and with the resin 3, specifically a single amine hardener such as, for example, Aradur® 22962 hardener made by Huntsman Corporation.

(17) Preferably, the first quantity by weight of hardener mixed with the injected resin is between 20% and 30% by weight of the quantity by weight of the injected resin, whilst the second quantity by weight of added hardener for the resin 3 is between 1.5% and 55% of the first quantity.

(18) With reference now to FIGS. 17 and 18, it may be observed that after the injected resin has impregnated the layers 1, 16 and 20 and has polymerized thanks to the injected hardener, and that the resin 3 on the layer 1 has also polymerized, also thanks to the injected hardener, the finished part 26 which includes the outer layer 1, the thermoplastic film 7, one or more inner layers 16, 20, and, if necessary, at least one spacer 17, is extracted from the moulds 12, 23 and fine finished for use.

(19) Variants or additions to the embodiment illustrated and described herein can be made by experts in the trade without departing from the scope of the claims appended hereto. In particular, further embodiments may comprise the technical features of one or more of the appended claims with the addition of one or more technical features described in the text or illustrated in the drawings, taken individually or in any combination.