GB1050562A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,050,562. Compression moulding laminating. AIR LOGISTICS CORPORATION. Jan. 5, 1965, No. 480/65. Heading B5A. In a method of compression moulding plastic material, or applying pressure to a material for e.g. lamination purposes, the pressure is applied by virtue of the relative thermal expansion of the different components of the mould being used. In one embodiment (Figs. 1 and 2, not shown), a resin impregnated fibrous fleece 12 is wrapped around a hollow mandrel 10 of e.g. aluminium, and is covered by a tubular mould 18, 20, 28 of e.g. steel, the whole then being heated to expand the mandrel relative to the mould to compress and cure the moulding material. In a second embodiment not shown (Fig. 8), the material 84 is sandwiched between a hollow heated metal mandrel 80, and an expansible pad 86 of silicone rubber, the whole being retained in position by an anchored metal sheet 88. In a third embodiment (Fig. 3, not shown), the material to be moulded is covered by a pad 44 of silicone rubber or metal and placed in a closed mould 30, 34 of metal, caul sheets 40, 42 being interposed if necessary. The mould is then heated to cause the relative expansion of the rubber or metal and the mould to effect the compression and the curing of the working material. In a fourth embodiment (Fig. 6, not shown), a plastics article 70 is formed between a plastics coated male die 54 and a co-operating female die 50, an expansible silicone rubber pad 68, which may be reinforced or heatable (Figs. 5 and 7, not shown), being interposed between the working material and the male die. In all embodiments the heat may be applied from the centre of the mandrel or mould towards its edges or ends in order to progressively expel air from the working material.