Quickstep has developed and industrialised AeroQure™, a composite curing system which uses liquid to cure advanced composite components. A pressurised circulating heat transfer fluid (HTF) supports the mould and rapidly heats and cools the part. Lower pressure processing (vacuum plus up to 2.5 bar) facilitates lower cost tooling without compromising the material characteristics of the cured part.

Low viscosity processing

Rapid heating of the mould and material reduces the process viscosity, improving air release and fibre wetting. Lower viscosity improves adhesion to honeycomb and foam cores, resulting in higher peel strength and reduced core crush during the curing process.

Exotherm control

Fluid-based heating and cooling improves heat transfer rates and thermal control, even for thick laminates prone to exothermic reactions. The AeroQure™ process delivers significant reductions in cycle time versus traditional autoclave curing.

Low pressure, low void

Fluid-based heating and cooling improves heat transfer rates and thermal control, even for thick laminates prone to exothermic reactions. The AeroQure™ process delivers significant reductions in cycle time versus traditional autoclave curing.

Test results from a global material supplier and an independent aerospace laboratory have validated the process at dramatically reduced cycle times to traditional autoclave curing. At 2.5 bar, AeroQure™ is achieving equivalent performance to autoclave at 6.2 bar pressure and producing better than aerospace industry standards for internal and surface porosity.

AeroQure™ offers significant advantages over traditional autoclave curing:

• reduced production time
• greater design flexibility
• reduced capital investment
• reduced energy consumption
• lower tooling costs
• greater control over cure cycle
• quality surface finish

AeroQure™ offers rate solutions for customers, with the ability to meet higher volume needs than autoclave curing. Quickstep offers complete end-to-end manufacturing solutions for the production of advanced composite components and assemblies.