IP Library › Patent Application 10965650
Patent Application
App. No. 10/965,650

Water soluble tooling materials for composite structures

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
10/965,650
Abstract

The present invention relates to a low density, water-soluble coring and tooling material used for the fabrication of composite parts. One aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite coring material that can be easily shaped and removed from cured composite parts. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite tooling material that is easily tailored to provide a specific coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity, thus providing a tooling material that can be matched to the composite structure and material being fabricated.

Claims (13)

1 . A method for manufacture of a mold core comprising:

(a) preparing a core composition having a polymer binder selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof;

(b) depositing the composition in a mold form for shaping the mold core; and

(c) drying the mold core to remove residual water.

2 . The method of claim 1 further including the step of machining the mold core to provide a mold core having a predetermined shape.

3 . The method of claim 1 further including the step of applying a finishing composition to an outer surface of the mold core to provide a smooth surface on the outer surface.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the finishing composition includes a polymer binder and a hardening compound.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the finishing composition has a viscosity between about 10 6 to about 10 7 cP and maintains its positioning on the surface where applied.

6 . The method of claim 1 further including the step of forming a composite part on the mold core.

7 . The method of claim 6 further including the step of removing the mold core from the composite part by solubilizing the mold core with a solvent.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the solvent includes water.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the mold core and composite part are cured before the mold core is removed.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the mold core and composite part are cured at temperatures of up to at least about 550° F.