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Semi-finished products, so-called “prepregs”, are processed in an autoclave to produce fiber composite components. These semi-finished products consist of continuous fibers that have been impregnated with a matrix system solution and must be stored refrigerated. The fibers can be arranged as a unidirectional layer, fabric or scrim. The use of prepregs makes it possible to separate the fiber impregnation process from the shaping of the component, allowing for more complex geometries and higher fiber volume contents.
The prepregs are cut manually and placed in a mold in layers until the desired layer structure is achieved. By choosing the appropriate fiber orientation, the component can obtain the desired properties such as elasticity or stiffness. The occupied component is then vacuum packed in a temperature-resistant foil bag, cured under pressure and heat and then cooled in a controlled manner. Depending on the material and laminate structure, the curing step can take several hours. After curing is complete, the component can be removed from the mold and processed further.
When selecting this process, various parameters can be set: For example, fiber alignment is crucial for the strength and rigidity of components. The hardened plastic matrix connects the fibers with each other and leads to optimal power transmission, resulting in a uniformly high material quality and perfect technical properties. The prepreg autoclave technology offers numerous advantages, such as perfectly definable fiber deposition, ideal fiber content, low pore content and high temperature resistance. We have the know-how and resources for prepreg autoclave technology, including temperature-resistant and precise molds and tools, controlled deep-freeze cells for the safe storage of uncured prepregs, and our autoclave for components up to 3 m long.