What Continuous Compression Molding Can Create

Composite materials are now being used to create better interior aircraft brackets thanks to the continuous compression molding process. Indeed, this process and the composite brackets it creates are bringing several benefits to the manufacturers of modern aircraft.

Benefits of composite interior brackets made with continuous compression molding

Composite materials have seen significantly increased use in aircraft over the past few decades, and now, they’re set to be used even more frequently thanks to continuous compression molding-produced interior aircraft brackets.

The brackets used on the inside of modern aircraft are generally designed to do things like attached interior panels to the exterior structure of the aircraft. One problem faced by aircraft designers and manufacturers is that these brackets come in a wide variety of configurations. Some of the bracket configurations currently used in aircraft include C-channels, H-beams, U-sections and L- and T-stringers. This problem of so many different types of brackets is compounded further by the fact that all of these shapes are difficult to manufacture from the aluminum traditionally used in aircraft.

However, continuous compression molding makes these parts much easier to manufacture. This process consists of continuously moving composite materials through a heated metal mold. The mold is mounted in a large hydraulic press that applies pressure to rapidly cure the composite component into its final shape. By using this process, interior aircraft brackets made of composites can provide a number of benefits to aircraft manufacturers. Some of these benefits include:

• A 50 percent reduction in the weight of these brackets compared to aluminum brackets
• Lowering the production costs of these brackets by approximately 21 percent
• Allowing part manufacturers to achieve a part rejection rate of less than 0.1 percent

All of these benefits mean that continuous compression molding-produced composite interior brackets are likely to become increasingly common in the aircraft of the future.

Composites One leads North America in composite material distribution

Composite interior brackets are just one example of the composite components that are being manufactured for today’s aerospace industry using continuous compression molding. If your company uses this process to make composite aircraft parts, then you need a reliable source of composite material supplies.

At Composites One, our team is ready to assist you. We can help you choose from the thousands of composite materials we have in stock from more than 600 suppliers. We can even help you ensure that your supplies will be delivered more rapidly since we have 41 locations situated across the United States and Canada.

To find out more information about the composite materials and other services we can offer your company, contact the helpful team at Composites One today.