  Deep
Core Composite Repair
The next generation of military aircraft is
heavily dependent on advanced composite materials to achieve
the necessary performance. Many of these materials are exceptional
thermal insulators and are susceptible to damage by excessive
surface heat. These composite materials require a new approach
to deep-core curing of adhesives that will eliminate current
surface heating methods in aircraft repair at both field and
depot levels.
Additionally, there are many commercial applications
for deep-core curing technology. These applications tend to
be focused on bonding parts with high-performance adhesives
that are sensitive to conventional process conditions or have
a unique need.
In response to these composite repair requirements,
CRG designed, fabricated and demonstrated a novel photo-delivery
system that cures currently qualified aircraft repair adhesives
without surface heating. During a Phase I effort, the viability
of using a photo-delivery system to cure adhesives was demonstrated.
In the Phase II program, CRG demonstrated and delivered a
prototype photo-delivery system. The solution integrated a
high power optical energy source with an innovative optical
scrim embedded into the film adhesive. This technology provided
uniform heat distribution within the bond line and achieved
full cure of 250ºF film adhesive without backside heating.
Click here
for a Flash animation that explains the process in
detail.
|
