Application of Birch Plywood to Elevated Temperature Composite Cure Molds

Description:

 Overview of Technology

Application of Baltic Birch plywood as a cost-effective and stable material for elevated temperature composite cure molds, enabling simplified machining and reduced entry barriers for small to moderate-sized companies in the composite fabrication industry.

 Background

Traditional mold tooling for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) often requires specialized equipment and materials that can be costly and time-consuming to procure. This creates barriers for smaller companies looking to enter the market, as they face high material and processing costs along with limited access to commercial tooling sources.

 Description of Technology

This innovation utilizes high-temperature lamination resin systems combined with low-viscosity vacuum infusion resin systems to enhance the stability of Baltic Birch plywood at processing temperatures of 300 - 350°F. The process involves creating molds that are easier to machine and more accessible to fabricators outside the traditional mold-making industry. Key features include high-temperature resin-to-plywood ratios for dimensional stability, in-process vacuum bag infusion to maintain wood fiber integrity, and moisture monitoring during fabrication.

 Benefits

- Cost-effective mold tooling

- Simplified machining processes

- Increased accessibility for small to moderate-sized companies

- Enhanced dimensional stability at high temperatures

- Potential for repeated use with various top coat systems

 Applications

- Aerospace component manufacturing

- Composite material fabrication

- Tooling for rapid delivery of CFRP/GFRP products

- Internal Research & Development (IRD) projects

- External user applications through prescribed tooling fabrication processes

 Opportunity 

Companies involved in composite material manufacturing and tooling could significantly benefit from adopting this innovative plywood-based mold technology, which lowers costs and improves production efficiency.