| abstract |
A method of fabricating articles of manufacture of a composite material by curing a curable matrix-forming binder in a compound material under simultaneous application of pressure and ultrasonic energy; an apparatus to be used in carrying out the method, and articles of manufacture fabricated according to the method. Articles according to the invention are useful in a multitude of applications, particularly in applications where the article must retain its shape and properties when subjected to temperatures above the melting point of usual thermoplastic materials, e.g. above 1000 ·C. The method provides dense, thermally stable, and coherent articles of manufacture of composite materials having a desired high density. Forming and curing times are typically 10 times shorter than conventional methods, e.g. for brake pads of the order of about 3 - 5 seconds. |