Advanced Vacuum Bagging Technologies

Vacuum bagging is a conventional process used in composite part manufacturing where a vacuum tight film, such as nylon, is fitted over the composite part prior to final curing, and a vacuum is drawn to permit atmospheric pressure to compact the layers of composite resin and reinforcement during thermal curing. Fitting the vacuum bagging film is very labor intensive and difficult for parts with large topographic irregularities. Faults or other problems during bagging cause problems in the composite part resulting in lost parts, wasted time and increased costs. To address these shortcomings, METSS proposes the development of a multi-use polyurethane rubber"bag"that is pre-formed by applying liquid resin on a completed or mock-up part, allowed to cured to shape, and then removed to support actual composite part manufacturing operations. The cured rubber will provide an exact copy of the part, thus eliminating time consuming bagging operations and attendant faults.