Autoclaves and ovens for the treatment of composite materials manufactured by Olmar stand out for both their advanced technology and their reliability. In addition, they can ensure optimal performance and outstanding efficiency throughout their entire useful life.
However, the curing process for composite materials is very different in ovens and autoclaves. Below, we present a breakdown of the main differences between these two technologies when addressing the treatment of carbon fiber so that you can choose which one best suits the needs of your company.
Application of pressure
- Oven: uses only heat in the curing process, without applying external pressure. Generally, it is used to manufacture composite material parts that do not require high pressure to consolidate their layers.
- Autoclave: In addition to heat, the autoclave process also controls pressure, allowing for a wider variety of carbon fiber components to be treated
Applications and uses
- Oven: Commonly used in applications where light weight is prioritized over extreme strength. They are most common in automotive, sports equipment, and non-structurally load-bearing aviation and marine parts.
- Autoclave: Ideal for high-performance parts and safety-critical components where integrity is crucial, such as aircraft fuselages and wings, racing car parts, and other applications in the defense and aerospace industries.
Material compatibility
- Oven: Generally suitable for both thermosets and thermoplastics, as many of these materials can achieve adequate performance without pressure.
- Autoclave: Often used to process advanced thermosetting resins and high-performance thermoplastics used in the aerospace and defense industry to achieve optimal bonding and maintain structural integrity.
Usability and safety measures
- Oven: They are easier to handle as they do not require pressure control
- Autoclave: They require stricter safety measures due to pressure build-up.
Ovens and autoclaves are essential tools in the treatment of composite materials, each with unique benefits. While ovens stand out for their simplicity, speed and adaptability to large or complex parts, autoclaves guarantee a finish of maximum precision, density and resistance. Knowing the differences between these technologies is essential to optimize processes and meet the specific demands of each sector.
Only the most advanced autoclaves and ovens for curing composite materials such as those offered by Olmar can ensure the uniformity and cycles demanded by the different sectors. Therefore, one of the main goals of our company is to invest in research and innovation to continuously improve the performance and efficiency of our equipment, guaranteeing the quality of our ovens and autoclaves in the face of future challenges in the industry.