DE102015007284B4 - Process for the production of fiber composite components - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of making a fiber composite component comprising feeding matrix material (60) into a cavity (101, 111, 121) of a forming tool (100, 110, 120) having a fiber preform (20, 21, 22) therein; marked by
introducing and / or providing at least one substance (30, 31) which increases the viscosity of the matrix material into at least one partial area of the cavity,
wherein the portion comprises a gap between the fiber preform in the cavity and at least one surface of the forming tool.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for the production of fiber composite components according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

In the manufacture of fiber composite components, a fiber preform, that is, a semifinished fiber material (comprising, for example, carbon fibers), is infiltrated in a cavity of a one- or two-sided mold-forming tool to create a vacuum with matrix material (also referred to as a "resin") which then (If necessary, with heat, for example, in an oven or autoclave) is brought to cure.

In infiltration, it is a difficulty to ensure that the flow front of the matrix material moves reliably controllable. For example, a local advance of the flow front (a so-called "race tracking") z. B. cause in peripheral areas of the fiber preform and / or in areas outside the fiber preform that the fiber material is no longer sufficiently saturated with matrix material; This can lead to a poor quality of the manufactured component.

In particular, insufficiently controlled movement of the matrix material outside the fiber preform can lead to closure of a suction of the cavity, so that on the one hand the suction can be impaired, on the other hand matrix material can pass into a suction channel of the cavity, from which it generally only hardens after it has hardened can be removed again with considerable effort. In addition, matrix material can reach the area in the region of a seal of the cavity, from where it can also be removed after the curing phase also usually difficult.

In the prior art, various approaches are known to influence the movement of the matrix material in the cavity and so to prevent the aforementioned adverse effects. In particular, some solutions are proposed to avoid the mentioned "race tracking".

In the publication DE 10 2013 012 005 A1 For example, a method is presented in which an auxiliary material is introduced into a tool cavity with a fiber preform. The auxiliary material is intended to influence the flow path of the matrix material during the infusion process. In particular, the auxiliary material may, for example, be a polymer which is introduced into the area between the fiber preform and the shaping tool and is advantageously cured in a first curing cycle. The subsequently injected matrix material can no longer penetrate into this area and is thus forced to flow through another path, for example exclusively through the fiber preform.

The publication EP 0 780 213 A1 describes the use of swellable polymers, which can be provided in the area between semi-finished fiber product and forming tool and close unwanted flow paths for the matrix material in the spaces between the fiber preform and the tool wall to avoid the local advantage of the flow front. That in the publication DE 10 2009 053 549 A1 The method described provides for the use of a secondary matrix material which is intended to influence the flow path of a primary matrix material.

Also, there are several approaches to affect the flow front of the matrix material within the fiber preform. Thus, for example, local flow aids can be provided, or an inlet for matrix material can be suitably positioned and an injection pressure suitably selected.

From the publication DE 10 2008 058 940 A1 For example, a method is known whereby the fiber material is mixed with a hardener (which may include a catalyst) prior to injection of the matrix material; the resin system then no longer needs to contain hardener. If the matrix material penetrates into the fiber material and comes into contact there with the hardener, the curing reaction of the matrix material is initiated and / or accelerated.

The pamphlets US 6,447,705 B1 . US 2002/0198342 A1 and DE 10 2013 105 940 A1 also envisage the use of a catalyst in the fiber material. Only the curing reaction of the matrix material in the fiber material is influenced, but not the flow behavior of the matrix material outside the fiber material.

The DE 10 2014 207 815 A1 describes a method for producing a fiber preform with at least one fiber layer for further processing, in particular in a resin injection method, wherein the at least one fiber layer is circumferentially cohesively fixed.

The DE 101 32 342 A1 describes a method for the production of components in fiber composite construction by the wet process technology by influencing the viscosity of the resin system used and the permeability of the resin-impregnated reinforcement textiles used.

The present invention has the object to provide an improved technique for producing a fiber composite component, with which a matrix material flow in an edge region of the cavity a shaping tool can be controlled.

The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

A method according to the invention is used to produce a fiber composite component and comprises feeding matrix material into a cavity of a forming tool with a fiber preform located therein and introducing at least one substance increasing the viscosity of the matrix material into at least one partial area of the cavity, the partial area forming a gap between the cavity Fiber preform and at least one surface of the forming tool comprises.

A device not according to the invention is used to produce a fiber composite component and comprises a mold-forming tool having a cavity for receiving a fiber preform and matrix material. In at least one subregion of the cavity, at least one substance which increases the viscosity of the matrix material is arranged.

According to the invention, a single substance that increases the viscosity of the matrix material (also referred to here for short as "viscosity-increasing substance") or several such substances can be used; For the purpose of linguistic simplification, the addition "at least one" is not always included in this document, without it being intended to be limiting to the case of a single such substance. The same applies to the at least one subregion of the cavity.

The (at least one) increasing the viscosity of the matrix material reduces its fluidity and / or flow rate on contact with the matrix material. This can be z. B. include a physical binding of the matrix material, for example by means of one or more fibrous, cottony or fluffy foreign body and / or a reactive thickening of the matrix material.

A method according to the invention offers the particular advantage that certain areas of the infusion structure can be kept free of matrix material with the aid of the viscosity-increasing substance. A time-consuming and expensive removal of cured matrix material in the corresponding areas of the forming tool can therefore be omitted.

In addition, with a suitable selection of the subregion, contact of the matrix material with one or more components of the infusion structure (eg a sealing device with sealing cords or the like) can be avoided by a matrix flow leading to such a component by increasing the viscosity of the matrix material is prevented in the sub-area. Thus, such a component undergoes a lower stress and can therefore have a longer service life.

Furthermore, a local advance of the flow front of the matrix material can be avoided without an additional, the matrix flow deflecting sealing element has to be introduced into the cavity: According to the present invention, the locally highly viscous due to the passage through the viscosity-increasing substance matrix material itself becomes a sealant.

The forming tool may be a one-sided or a two-sided tool in a method according to the invention. The cavity may be formed by a recess in a (eg, first) part of the tool; Such a recess may be covered by a vacuum film and / or by a second tool part when using the method. In particular, the cavity can be delimited at least in sections by at least one surface of the mold-forming tool, which thus forms the cavity.

The cavity may be confined to one or more mold cavity or mold cavity (s) in the tool adapted to receive a fiber preform. Alternatively, in addition to such a mold-forming cavity, the cavity may additionally comprise a space bounded by a suction duct, in particular at least one suction duct or at least one inlet region of a suction duct adapted to be connected to a vacuum unit and air or other gas out of the cavity. In this sense, the "partial region of the cavity" may be an area within the mold-forming cavity or the depression or an area of an enlarged cavity which may also comprise at least a portion of an exhaust passage extending therefrom, in addition to the mold-forming cavity or cavity.

The fiber preform may comprise a merely cut fiber material or a cut and shaped (eg, pressed) fiber material.

The partial region of the cavity preferably comprises an edge region of the cavity, for example an edge region of a depression or cavity in the mold-forming tool or a component of the mold-forming tool. The subarea comprises a space between the fiber preform in the cavity and at least one surface of the forming tool which forms the cavity.

The subarea may include a plurality of local, non-contiguous locations or sections, each of which may be punctiform, linear, or planar.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the subregion (during an application of a method according to the invention) lies at least partially laterally next to the fiber preform. The subregion may be separated from the fiber preform in at least one section by a nip, or may be arranged with blunt (if the process is applied laterally and / or vertically) to the fiber preform (ie abut the fiber preform).

In addition, the portion may extend into the fiber preform, which in this case may have at least partially contained the at least one viscosity enhancing agent, for example, by having the viscosity enhancing agent soaked through a portion of the fiber preform or otherwise positioned within the corresponding region in the fiber preform.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the subregion comprises an environmental region of a seal of the cavity; in the case of a one-piece tool, such a seal can be arranged on an edge of a cavity-forming surface of the mold-forming tool; in the case of a two- or multi-part mold, such a seal can be positioned on an edge between the two or more tool parts. A surrounding area of such a seal may in particular comprise a region between the seal and the fiber preform. Alternatively or additionally, the subregion may comprise an inlet of the suction channel from the cavity. Such a positioning of the at least one viscosity-increasing substance can prevent the matrix material from penetrating to the corresponding locations.

A preferred embodiment of a device not according to the invention comprises at least one inlet through which matrix material can be passed into the cavity in order thereby to infiltrate the fiber preform with the matrix material from at least one infiltration side of the fiber preform; For example, the (at least one) infiltration side may comprise an outer (preferably lateral) edge of that half or third of the fiber preform which is first infiltrated by the matrix material upon introduction of the matrix material. The provision of several feeds for matrix material can be useful, in particular, if it is not possible to feed sufficient matrix material through a feed in a reasonable time and / or if it is advantageous to infiltrate the fiber preform from more than one point or one side with matrix material. The device of said embodiment further comprises at least one suction channel, which opens at the (at least one) infiltration side in the cavity (or in the forming portion for receiving the fiber preform) and which is adapted to direct air or other gas from the cavity , The at least one subregion with the substance increasing the viscosity of the matrix material comprises a gap between the fiber preform and the (at least one) suction channel and / or an inlet region of the suction channel from the cavity.

In conventional infusion constructions, the inflow of the matrix material and the suction of the cavity are usually positioned as far as possible from each other; However, an arrangement of inlet and suction duct according to the above embodiment, in particular due to design-related limitations in terms of the positioning in the forming tool and / or due to better handling z. B. be advantageous in terms of the preparation process or a tool maintenance. The arrangement is possible because the material increasing the viscosity of the matrix material in the space between the fiber preform and the suction channel prevents penetration of the matrix material into the suction channel. In addition, this embodiment allows a dispensing with a resin trap: In such a resin trap conventionally trapped in the suction matrix material is collected to prevent it from entering the vacuum unit or vacuum pump.

The viscosity-increasing material may be introduced into or into the suction channel at a distance from or to an end of the suction channel at which the suction channel opens into the (or into the mold-forming part of) the cavity. Such a distance is preferably at most 250 cm, more preferably at most 100 cm. In this case, the viscosity-increasing material can be introduced into the extraction at any desired time (eg by injection). This allows flushing of the cavity and nevertheless dispenses with the use of a resin trap.

In particular, the passage of the matrix material through the viscosity-increasing substance can cause its mixing with the matrix material and thus a reduction in the flowability of the matrix material. This can be independent of Curing properties (such as a curing time under predetermined conditions (eg, a temperature of the matrix material)) or by changing at least one curing property, for example by inducing premature or accelerated curing of the matrix material (given default conditions).

The viscosity-increasing agent may comprise, for example, at least one thixotropic agent, one or more fibrous, cottony or flaky products, at least one hardener for the matrix material and / or at least one catalyst. Preferably, the viscosity-increasing substance is or is selected to be suitable taking into account the matrix material used.

When using epoxy and / or polyester resins as the matrix material, for example, thixotropic agent can be used expediently to increase the viscosity while maintaining the curing properties of the matrix material. Furthermore, by introducing z. As cotton flakes and / or other products or foreign bodies in the matrix material whose viscosity can be increased. In addition to the substances listed here, there are other substances that can lead to an increase in viscosity of the matrix material. The viscosity increase u. a. For example, by an interaction (eg., Van der Waals and / or hydrogen bonds) between the introduced material and present in the matrix material molecule chains are caused.

An increase in viscosity of the matrix material by a premature and / or accelerated hardening reaction of the matrix material can be achieved, for example, by using at least one initiator (hardener) and / or at least one catalyst. When using epoxy resins as the matrix material, for example, a diamine may be used as the initiator and triphenylphosphine as the catalyst. A use of other or other materials is also possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, when introducing hardener as a viscosity-increasing substance, a stoichiometric composition of resin and hardener is taken into account; As a result, in particular when using an epoxy-based matrix material, good strength of a manufactured fiber composite component can be achieved.

Alternatively, hardener and matrix material can be mixed in the sub-region in mutually unstoichiometric ratio, so that therefore one of the two substances is reactively in excess; Exact and complex dimensions can be dispensed with in this case, which is particularly advantageous if the production of the composite component comprises a removal of an affected area after curing of the matrix material.

Preferably, the at least one viscosity-increasing substance is at least partially not dimensionally stable. It may, for example, be introduced into the subregion in the form of a jelly, a liquid and / or paste.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the viscosity-increasing substance is positioned at least partly free of carrier medium (ie in pure form) in the partial area of the cavity; This is particularly suitable in the case of a jelly-like, solid or viscous viscosity-enhancing substance.

The introduction of the viscosity-increasing substance can take place before the matrix material is fed into the cavity and / or when the matrix material is already flowing.

In particular, the viscosity-increasing substance can be introduced into the partial region of the cavity before arranging the fiber preform. In this case, if appropriate, at least a portion of the fiber preform may be arranged on a sheet, a linear track and / or a dot-shaped stain with the viscosity-increasing substance. Alternatively or additionally, the viscosity-increasing agent may be or at least partially applied directly to a portion (preferably an edge) of the fiber preform.

Such an enrichment of the fiber preform can in particular serve to prevent or at least reduce a flow of matrix material out of the fiber material (ie, from the interior of the fiber preform to the outside).

Alternatively or additionally, at least part of the viscosity-increasing substance may be or are incorporated on and / or in a carrier material. The carrier material may be at least partially soaked, for example, with the viscosity-increasing substance, or the viscosity-increasing substance may be spread onto the carrier material.

For example, a grid-like structure, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, fleece, gel or another type of material can serve as the carrier material. Alternatively or additionally, at least one planar flow aid can be used as the carrier material for the viscosity-increasing substance; Such a flow aid can conventionally be used for rapid superficial distribution of matrix material in resin infusion processes (preferably on one-sided shaping tool) come to applications.

Such a carrier material may extend over (only) a portion of a surface of the tool forming the cavity, for example, at an edge of the surface and / or in a region between the fiber preform and the forming tool, e.g. B. laterally (horizontally) next to the fiber preform, and / or on a base and / or top surface of the cavity.

Alternatively, the cavity may be substantially completely lined (eg at least 90% of its boundary surface) with such a carrier material so that the carrier material thus extends over substantially an entire surface of the tool forming the cavity. For example, a thin web (eg, a nonwoven having a basis weight of less than 25 g / ^m2 , more preferably between 7 g / ^m2 and 15 g / ^m2 ) may be made of carbon fibers or other suitable material on and / or under the Fiber preform and / or within the fiber preform are arranged as a sheet carrier material in the cavity; Such a carrier material preferably has an excess at least at one edge of the fiber preform. It is advantageous to provide the carrier material only in the areas with a viscosity-increasing material in which the movement of the matrix material to be influenced.

Alternatively or additionally, fiber material already provided in the fiber preform (eg one or more fabric layers and / or gel layers) can be used as carrier material.

A carrier material may for example have a thickness of 0.004-4 mm, preferably between 0.01 mm and 1 mm. It can be positioned in an edge region of the fiber preform and possibly beyond it. When using a closed forming tool, a carrier material present in the edge region of the cavity can bring about additional compacting of the fiber preform. A flow through the matrix material through this area can already be made difficult and further slowed down by the viscosity-increasing substance. However, any air present in the fiber preform can still be sucked out of the fiber material or pushed out of the flow front of the matrix material by the small pores in the edge region. In such an embodiment, it may be advantageous to remove the edge region, which has a very high fiber volume content due to the carrier material introduced in addition to the fiber preform, from the produced fiber composite component before it meets its intended use.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carrier material comprises carbon, glass, and / or aramid fibers and / or at least one polymer. This is advantageous in particular when using a flat carrier material in which the carrier material is to remain at least partially on and / or in the produced fiber composite component: in this way, a costly detachment step can be dispensed with, and secondly material properties of the produced fiber composite component can be eliminated by the remaining fiber composite component Carrier material can be positively influenced. If the carrier material comprises, for example, a polymer (for example a thermoplastic polymer such as, for example, polyetherimide (PEI) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK)), which dissolves and / or dissolves or melts during the production process of the fiber composite component, this can result in Impact strength of the manufactured component can be improved.

A fiber composite component produced in this way accordingly comprises a fiber material infiltrated by a matrix material and a carrier material for at least one viscosity-increasing substance. The carrier material may be at least partially penetrated into the fiber material and / or cured on this and / or at least partially positioned differently within this. Alternatively or additionally, a fiber composite component according to the invention may contain residues of a viscosity-increasing substance; Such residues may allow conclusions about the use of the viscosity-increasing substance, preferably even if no carrier material was used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one viscosity-increasing substance (comprising for example an initiator and / or a catalyst) exhibits its viscosity-increasing effect on mere contact with the matrix material. Alternatively, during the infusion process, the viscosity-increasing substance can, for example, be detached from the carrier material and / or washed out of it. In addition, other possibilities are conceivable, such as the viscosity-increasing substance can be discharged from the carrier material to the matrix material.

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. It is understood that individual elements and components can be combined differently than shown.

• 1a, 1b, 1c drei mögliche Positionen des mindestens einen Teilbereichs gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2a, 2b eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung in zwei Zuleitungszuständen;
• 3 einen beispielhaften Ausschnitt einer Halbschale eines zweiseitigen formbildenden Werkzeugs mit Faservorformling und Trägermaterial für einen viskositätssteigernden Stoff gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

They show schematically:

• 1a . 1b . 1c three possible positions of the at least one subarea according to embodiments of the present invention;
• 2a . 2 B an exemplary embodiment of a device in two supply states;
• 3 an exemplary section of a half-shell of a two-sided shape-forming tool with fiber preform and carrier material for a viscosity-increasing substance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the 1a . 1b and 1c is in each case schematically a cavity 101 in a mold-forming tool 100 shown; a feed (not shown) for matrix material may be provided, for example, when using the forming tool vertically up to the cavity, based on the representation in the 1a . 1b . 1c So be set up to supply matrix material into the cavity in a viewing direction.

A subarea 30 the cavity 101 into which a viscosity-increasing substance for a matrix material to be used is or is introduced, circulates in the embodiment according to FIG 1a the fiber preform along a continuous line without coming into contact with the fiber preform: between the portion with the viscosity-increasing substance 30 and the fiber preform 20 is a free space 40 can be prevented, by which, for example, a liquid viscosity-increasing substance penetrates into the fiber preform (for example, is absorbed by him), which may be undesirable depending on the used viscosity-increasing substance or intended properties of the finished fiber composite component.

In the in 1b the embodiment shown is the partial area 30 in the form of a fiber preform 20 formed around circumferential border area. Unlike in the embodiment of 1a Here, the partial area abuts flush (ie, dull) against an edge of the fiber preform; in the in 1c Finally, the planar portion overlaps shown variant 30 in an overlapping zone 50 even an area where the fiber preform 20 is arranged; In this zone, the viscosity-increasing substance is thus applied or incorporated under and / or over a portion and / or within a portion of the fiber preform. For example, the at least one viscosity-increasing substance 30 be introduced into the sub-region before the fiber preform in the cavity 101 was positioned.

It is understood that, in addition to the examples shown, there are other or further possibilities for subregions into which a viscosity-increasing substance can advantageously be introduced; the subregion can be selected, for example, as a function of an intended use of the fiber composite component and / or of the matrix materials used and / or viscosity-increasing substance.

In particular, such a subregion may be used as an alternative to those in the 1a - 1c The embodiments shown may be incoherent and / or comprise one or more merely punctiform sections. A merely locally limited subarea can, for. B. be advantageous if it is to be prevented that matrix material penetrates to certain local places. If it is to be avoided that matrix material enters the lateral area of a seal of the cavity, a planar and / or linear positioning of the viscosity-increasing substance at the appropriate location may be advantageous. If a lateral suction channel between matrix material and forming tool is to be produced, a linear positioning on at least one side of the fiber preform can likewise be advantageous.

The field of application of the method according to the invention extends in particular to the influencing of the movement of the matrix material outside the fiber preform during an infusion process. Alternatively or additionally, an influencing of the movement of the matrix material according to the invention in an edge region within the fiber preform may be advantageous.

According to a further embodiment, a movement of the matrix material in a region of a suction channel is influenced. By introducing a viscosity-increasing substance introduced there, the entry or progression of matrix material into or into the suction channel can be prevented or at least severely limited, so that a resin trap can be dispensed with in this area.

In the 2a . 2 B is a suitable device for this purpose 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in two states each outlined in plan view: It is within a mold-forming tool 110 a cavity 111 formed in which a fiber preform 21 is arranged. In a partial area of the cavity surrounding the fiber preform 111 is a viscosity-increasing substance 31 arranged.

The cavity 111 includes an inlet 112 for feeding matrix material into the cavity 111 from an infiltration side (which is the left side in the illustration) and a suction channel 113 which is or can be connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) for supplying air or other To suck gas out of the cavity. The feed 112 leads through the subregion of the cavity into which the at least one viscosity-increasing substance 31 is introduced, through and directly to the fiber preform 21 ,

While in conventional infusion assemblies a feed of the matrix material and a suction channel are usually positioned as far as possible from each other to prevent penetration of matrix material into the suction channel, the suction channel 113 in the in the 2a . 2 B illustrated embodiment of a device according to the invention on the same side as the inlet 112 , thus positioned on the infiltration side. Such a close positioning of inlet 112 and suction channel 113 may in particular due to design constraints on the positionability of or within the forming tool 110 and / or due to better handling z. B. be advantageous in terms of the preparation process or maintenance. It is particularly possible because of the sub-area with the introduced viscosity-increasing substance 31 a zone between the suction channel and an outlet opening of the inlet 112 for the matrix material comprises; In the example shown, this zone comprises a gap between the fiber preform 21 and a junction 113 ' of the suction channel into the cavity (or its forming area). In this zone, the matrix material thus becomes in contact or mixing with the viscosity-increasing substance 31 Thickened so that it does not or at least hardly penetrates into the suction channel. This is in 2 B to recognize: Here is a situation shown in the matrix material 60 through the inlet 112 into the fiber preform 21 is initiated. The matrix material thereby spreads in the fiber preform 21 out. At its edges it exits the fiber preform and into a gap between the fiber preform 21 and an inner boundary wall of the cavity 111 containing the portion with the at least one viscosity-increasing substance 31 includes. This reduces the flowability of the matrix material 60 and thereby prevents a further flow, in particular a local advance of the matrix material 60 in the space and entry of the matrix material into the suction channel 113 ,

In particular, this results between the hindered at the movement matrix material 61 and the edge of the cavity 111 an air gap 70 , which evacuates the cavity through the suction channel 113 allows. The aspiration of air or other gases within the dry fiber material may be continued until the fiber preform 21 completely with the matrix material 60 is infiltrated.

In 3 For example, a portion of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. A lower half-shell of a two-sided mold-forming tool 120 includes a surface 124 that a cavity 121 formed. The half shell includes a seal 125 , which after placing a (not shown) second half-shell an airtight seal and thus in particular an evacuation of the cavity 121 by sucking air or other gas through an exhaust duct (not shown).

The cavity 121 includes an inlet, which in the 3 from the outside through a corresponding leading into the cavity inlet pipe 122 is shown.

In the cavity 121 is a fiber preform 22 arranged. In a partial region of the cavity are mats of carrier material 80 arranged; the subregion comprises a gap between the fiber preform 22 and an area of the surface 124 the half shell 120 of the mold-forming tool, which is the cavity 121 In particular, it includes a surrounding area of the seal 125 (namely a region between seal and fiber preform). In and / or on the carrier material 80 At least one viscosity-increasing substance is applied or applied when introducing matrix material into the cavity 121 prevents or at least slows down the progress of the matrix material. Thus, on the one hand an uncontrolled local flow of matrix material in the spaces between a wall of the cavity (in particular the surface 124 ) and the preform 22 prevents and on the other hand the seal 125 secured or at least largely kept free of matrix material.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

20, 21, 22

Fiber preform

30, 31

viscosity-increasing substance

40

free space

50

overlap zone

60

matrix material

61

matrix material mixed with viscosity-increasing substance

70

air gap

80

support material

100, 110, 120

mold-forming tool

101, 111, 121

cavity

112

Intake

113

Absaugungskanal

113 '

Junction of the suction channel

122

supply pipe

124

Surface of the forming tool

125

seal

Claims (6)

A method of making a fiber composite component comprising feeding matrix material (60) into a cavity (101, 111, 121) of a forming tool (100, 110, 120) having a fiber preform (20, 21, 22) therein; characterized by introducing and / or providing at least one substance (30, 31) which increases the viscosity of the matrix material into at least one partial region of the cavity, the partial region comprising a gap between the fiber preform in the cavity and at least one surface of the shaping tool. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one viscosity-enhancing substance comprises: at least one thixotropic agent; one or more fibrous, cotton or flaky products; at least one hardener for the matrix material; and / or at least one catalyst. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the viscosity-increasing substance is applied to and / or into a carrier material (80). Method according to Claim 3 wherein the substrate extends over a portion of at least one surface (124) or over substantially the entire surface of the tool forming the cavity. Method according to Claim 3 or 4 wherein the carrier material comprises carbon, glass, and / or aramid fibers and / or at least one polymer. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the partial region comprises a region of a seal (125) of the cavity and / or a suction channel (113).

Images