COMPRESSION MOLDING

 

Compression molding is a process by which you place material into a mold cavity and apply pressure and heat to form shaped materials. Compression molding allows for the provision of large parts, there is extremely low to zero residual stress left in stock shape, and tooling costs are relatively low.

Matched Tool Forged Fiber

Compression-molded composites are also known as forged composites. Matched metal tooling is necessary for this process, making it ideal for high volume part production.

Autoclave Molding


Autoclave molding is a process used to impart a controlled heat and pressure cycle cure to a layup. Additional pressure permits higher density and improves inter-layer adhesion.

Vacuum Bag Molding


Vacuum bagging is a flexible process that is used to manufacture laminated structures. It produces a uniform degree of consolidation while removing entrapped air through vacuum pressure.

Infusion Molding

Infusion molding is a technique where voids in a stack of porous material (e.g. carbon fiber) are filled with a liquid resin. When the resin solidifies, the solid resin matrix binds the assembly of materials into a unified rigid composite. This is a highly efficient closed mold process.

Bladder Molding

Bladder molding begins with composite material being applied to a bladder and the part is inserted into a female cavity mold. A press is used to close the mold and heat is applied to cure the part. Air pressure is used to force the laminate outward in the cavity, consolidating the material in the closed mold.