Temperature optimization of mold for autoclave process of large composite manufacturing

Abstract In autoclave processing, the temperature distribution of mold is important to the curing quality and performance of composite. The scale and complex structure of the mold have a great influence on heat transfer efficiency, which result in no uniform temperature field of the mold. Therefore, a method of heat transfer compensation is proposed, in which a “heat conducting fin” with high heat conductivity is installed in the section with slower heating process of the mold to improve the heat transfer efficiency of the mold and hot air, and to determine the structural size, quantity and reasonable installation position of “heat conducting fins” by combining CFD with heat transfer calculation. The results show that, combined with the typical panel mold, the heat transfer efficiency of the local section of the mold can be effectively improved by optimizing “heat conducting fin”, the maximum temperature difference of the mold surface is reduced by 15.1%, and the temperature gradient along the axial direction of the mold is decreased.