COMPOSITES INDUSTRY

With the advent of sophisticated laminar structures and their reliance upon new and complex temperature sensitive and heat dependent resins, has brought about the concept of using Gorix E-CT not only as a thermal curing aid, but also as a "Thermal Trigger" for initiating the curing process of the structure. The areas of application for Gorix technology in the Composites Industry fall broadly into three sectors:-

1. The use of the material as a replacement for conventional silicone encapsulated mat type wire heating elements.

2. As a captive heating element embedded within the composite structure to be used as a localised heat source for both pre-cure and post-cure operations.

3. Contained within the matting surfaces of mould tools to ensure even and uniform heat distribution throughout the entire tool effectively replacing conventional hot water / oil heating systems commonly used in moulding tools.

With conventional heat sources, such as Silicone heater mats, the problem has always been that of poor conformity to shape and shortened life due to the metal element's inability to flex for extended periods. When Gorix E-CT is employed as the heating element, the flexibility of a heater mat is increased immeasurably. Flex testing on Gorix E-CT was aborted when counts of 2.5 million cycles were reached without degradation of performance of the element.

The low voltage requirements of Gorix E-CT, make heating elements manufactured from the material an ideal portable heat source for in-field portable curing work stations for applications such as battle damage repair and stealth re-instatement.

In addition to the use of Gorix E-CT as a stand alone heating element, the flexibility of the material makes it a first choice heat source for combining with sophisticated vacuum bagging systems. An ability to contour to complex 3-D shapes and compound profiles, coupled with the ability to be pierced, cut and lapped, gives Gorix E-CT a unique edge over conventional heating media, thus allowing the manufacturer of composite parts to apply heat precisely and evenly with infinite control.

As a captive heating element in addition to triggering the curing process, Gorix E-CT may be used as a heating element or conversely a temperature sensor during the working life of the composite structure containing it. For example, wing and rotor blade heating elements are an ideal illustration of this technology in use.

The ability to heat a moulding tool to a specific and controlled uniform temperature, is a distinct advantage in the manufacture of moulded product.Not only are the integrity and strength characteristics of the end product enhanced, but greater cost efficiency is achieved by decreased cycle times and faster arrival at mould operating temperature, thereby, achieving increased volume of product throughput.

In operations such as resin transfer moulding, mould temperature is a critical factor in achieving an end product with coherent strength characteristics. Gorix offers the manufacturer the capability of uniform mould and lay-up temperature prior to resin infusion.