A process for the manufacture of translucent structural composite components

This work basically describes the process of obtaining translucent structural composite components using a novel process. The efficacy of the process yields translucent composites coupled with high structural integrity for the composite systems. The end use applications that can be thought of in this context are aircraft’s windows, side windows of automobiles, sub-components of submarines, decorative murals and several structural composite parts calling for extremely high resin-fibre integrity.\ud \ud The process highlights the appropriate positioning of the mould plates, with primary emphasis on the reinforcement layout in such a way as to maximise the resin ingress into the micro structure of the fabric(yarn bundles) due to the combined effects of anti-gravity and capillary action coupled with appropriate positioning of the inlet and outlet ports. Where applicable, best use is made of the optical properties of the reinforcement/resin systems (such as glass- epoxy/polyester) to render translucent characteristics without compromising on the other structural requirement parameters.\ud \ud \u