Pilot-Scale Autoclave for Composite Manufacturing and Repair Lab

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Composite materials are gaining greater use in all transportation vehicles. In commercial aircraft such as the newest Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350, the use of advanced composite materials accounts for over 50% of the overall airframe. In automotive applications the emphasis on fuel economy is pushing the use of lighter materials and composite materials are finding their use in mass manufactured chassis. Composite manufacturing can be achieved with different processes that can be grouped in two categories: autoclave process and out-of-autoclave process. Centennial College's School of Transportation is looking to improve its advanced composite manufacturing equipment in the composite laboratory by acquiring a pilot-scale autoclave. This autoclave with a useable diameter of about 3 ft and a length of the pressure vessel greater than 5 ft would enable the college to manufacture and repair aerospace grade advanced composite structures. The autoclave, installed in the School of Transportation's new campus for aviation at Downsview Park, would be used for both academic teaching and industry applied research collaborations. The aviation mechanic program would use the autoclave to teach composite manufacturing and repair. The autoclave would also be accessible to other departments at Centennial College for teaching composite materials selection and manufacturing. Aerospace companies, as well as automotive composite manufacturers have manifested great interest in collaborating with the research staff at the college and use the autoclave to test and validate manufacturing and assembly processes as well as repair of composite materials.