CCT CCT Curing Processes & Autoclave Operations

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of an autoclave in composite manufacturing?

Accepted Answer

To apply simultaneous heat and pressure for curing composite laminates

Answer

To mix resin and hardener

Answer

To cut prepreg material to shape

Answer

To store uncured prepreg materials

Question 2

What is the typical autoclave pressure used for curing carbon fiber/epoxy aerospace composites?

Accepted Answer

85 to 100 psi (approximately 6 bar)

Answer

1 to 5 psi

Answer

200 to 300 psi

Answer

500 or more psi

Question 3

What does a cure cycle define in composite autoclave processing?

Accepted Answer

The time-temperature-pressure profile followed during laminate cure

Answer

The color mixing schedule for resins

Answer

The number of plies in the layup stack

Answer

The fiber orientation sequence

Question 4

What is the purpose of pulling vacuum on the bag during autoclave composite processing?

Accepted Answer

To remove volatiles and entrapped air before and during cure

Answer

To add structural weight to the layup

Answer

To apply extra heat to the laminate

Answer

To prevent discoloration of the surface ply

Question 5

What is the role of thermocouples during an autoclave cure cycle?

Accepted Answer

To monitor part and tooling temperatures and verify the cure cycle is achieved

Answer

To measure finished part dimensions

Answer

To check resin viscosity during cure

Answer

To measure autoclave internal pressure

Question 6

What happens to epoxy resin viscosity as temperature increases during the initial heat-up phase?

Accepted Answer

Viscosity decreases (resin becomes more fluid) before crosslinking begins

Answer

Viscosity increases immediately as temperature rises

Answer

Viscosity remains completely constant throughout heat-up

Answer

The resin solidifies immediately when heated