Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara Pekan

Jabatan Penyelenggaraan Pesawat

Bahagian Composite Repair

CURING PROCESS – COLD BOND

4. PRESSURE APPLICATION METHODS
 PRESSURE APPLICATION
METHODS
• When performing a composite repair, pressure should be
applied to the surface during the curing operation.
• Applying pressure assists in the removal of the excess
resin that is squeezed out.
• In addition, sustained pressure compact the fiber layers
together, removes trapped air, and maintains the contour
of the repair relative to the original part.
• It also holds the repair securely to prevent shifting.
• Several methods of applying pressure commonly used in
composite repair are described next.
 SHOT BAGS
• Shot bags are effective on large contoured surfaces that
cannot be clamped.
• A plastic sheet must be used to keep the bag from sticking to
the repair.
• A disadvantage to this type of pressure application is that it
cannot be used on the underside of any part.
 CLECOS (CAUL PLATE)
• Clecos are used in conjunction with pre-shaped caul
(pressure) plates to support the backside of the repair.
• This method is not generally recommended due to the
added problems of producing holes for the clecos in the
structure.
 SPRING CLAMPS
• Spring clamps also known as quick grip are used in
conjunction with caul plates to distribute pressure evenly over
the repair area.
• Parts can also be pressed together with clamps. This
technique is used for solid laminate edges of honeycomb
panels.
• Clamps (e.g., C-clamps and spring clamps) are used for
pressing together the edges of components and/or repair
details.
• Always use clamps with pressure distribution pads because
damage to the part may occur if the clamping force is too
high.
• Spring clamps can be used in applications where resin
squeeze-out during cure would require C-clamps to be
retightened periodically.
 VACUUM BAGGING
• Vacuum bagging works by using atmospheric
pressure provide an even pressure over the surface
of the repair this method is the most effective
pressure application method used in today’s
composite repair.
• It is used on large surfaces and for most repair
work.
• Since vacuum bagging technique is the most
efficient way to cure the part and most widely used
in the industry, this topic will be focus on vacuum
bagging for cure the parts using cold bonding
process.
VACUUM BAGGING
VACUUM BAGGING PROCESS

Figure 4.