Composite autoclave

The composite autoclave cures vacuum-bagged thermoset parts by pressurising the vessel from outside throughout a heated cure cycle. The pressure cuts resin voids and helps reach the intended resin-to-fibre ratio, giving light, strong and dimensionally stable parts. TSB Energy builds these autoclaves for 1–70 bar, with diameters of up to 5500 mm and lengths of up to 61 m, heated electrically or by thermal oil. Aerospace, defence, automotive, marine and motorsport manufacturers are the main users.

A proprietary baffle design drives turbulent air from front to back, so the parts heat quickly and evenly and the temperature is held to ±1 °C, while sensors on the parts track part and air temperature. Vacuum is monitored bag by bag, leak tests run automatically before and during the cycle and are kept as reports, and a 6-step integrity check precedes every start. For cooling, heat moves from an inner to an outer oil exchanger through 3-way proportional valves with 0.1 % resolution, so the specified cooling curve is followed. The vessel is pressurised with air or nitrogen, and nitrogen can be recovered with TSB's compressor partners.

The autoclave is designed to PED 2014/68/EU, ASME VIII Div. 1, EAC (GOST), EN 13445 and AD 2000-Merkblatt, horizontal or vertical, with one or two doors, and meets NADCAP, AMS2750, Airbus and Boeing D6-49327 requirements. The shell is P355GH/P460NL plate, and the highly loaded closure jaws are ultrasonically tested before assembly. It has 50 mm ceramic-wool insulation, overpressure, overtemperature and vacuum protection, sensor-monitored and mechanical door locks, a Pilz safety relay and a patented door safety that keeps the door shut until pressure is fully released. It arrives on a single skid and runs once power and cooling water are connected; large-diameter units are built on site.