Method and System for Manufacturing Composite Structures Using a Magnesium Bladder

• Main Authors: Matlack, Michael Palmore, Shewchuk, Steven M, Schell, Justin Joseph, Verma, Ravi
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.11.2020
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

A composite manufacturing system and method are provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a press and a bladder. The press has an upper portion having a desired shape for a composite structure and a lower portion configured to receive layers of composite material. The bladder is associated with the upper portion of the press and is configured to reach a superplastic state when heated such that the bladder forms to the composite structure by applying heat and pressure to the layers of composite material. The bladder cools without appreciable shrinkage, applying a desired amount of pressure to the composite structure during the entire cooling cycle. Once one composite structure is formed using the bladder, the bladder may be reused to form similar structures.