GKN takes composites out of the oven
GKN Aerospace is working toward out-of-autoclave processing of carbon-epoxy laminated structures upward of 23 feet long and 275 pounds in weight and has al
GKN Aerospace is working toward out-of-autoclave processing of carbon-epoxy laminated structures upward of 23 feet long and 275 pounds in weight and has already manufactured components up to 8.2 feet long and weighing 175 pounds in an R&D environment.
According to John Cornforth, the company’s head of technology, 10 years has passed since GKN’s R&D team recognized the potential benefits of out-of-autoclave processing, especially when coupled with other technology advances. It has been working since then to advance the manufacturing readiness of the process to the point where it can be considered a viable alternative to autoclave processing for series manufacture of both primary and secondary structures.
