With the development of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites) till this day, it has formed different moulding processes. PHP made a comparison with the commonly used processes of CFRP.
Compression molding process
Compression moulding process is realized by reactions during different stages like material plasticizing, flow and filling in the mould cavity, resin curing. During the flow process of the CFRP materials in the mould, not only thermoplastic resins flow, carbon fibre as the reinforced material also flows with them, so the moulding pressure of compression molding process is higher than other processes and it belongs to high-pressure moulding. PHP is specialized in manufacturing compression molding machines which can be applied to the compression molding of various composite materials.
The CFRP products made by compression molding process have lower internal stress, smaller buckling deformation, smoother surface, higher size precision, and more stable mechanical properties. Compression molding process is applicable to forming of large tabulate products with complicated structures. The production efficiency is high, so it is convenient to realize specialized and automatic batch production. The disadvantages lie in the complicated moulding making and high cost of it.
Autoclave Molding Process
Autoclave molding is to use the high temperature compressed gas in the autoclave to heat and press the prepreg and cure the materials. For example, 80% of the structural parts like airframe, rudder, elevator, wing cover and tail are made by autoclave moulding process.
The advantages of CFRP products made by autoclave moulding process is that they are heated and pressed evenly and the quality is stable, so this process is applicable to the production of large and complicated structural parts. However, the disadvantages are also obvious, first, the equipment is very large and complicated and also very energy consuming; second, the investment cost and production cost is high, but the efficiency is low.
PHP is a professional compression molding press manufacturer in China. We are familiar with the moulding process of CFRP and other composites. Feel free to contact us (mail: cindy@wuxipd.com or phone: +86 0510-83394311) if you have any questions.
Publication Date: 1 May, 2020
Category: Forming Technology
