Composite & Syntactic Glossary
Find the definitions of all the widely-used industry terminology and jargon surrounding composite materials, syntactic materials and the industries in which we operate.
The ability of a tooling board to withstand repeated rubbing, friction or scraping without degradation of the material.Â
Specific type of glue that is designed for use with tooling boards, to bond two or more boards together as part of a layup or blocking up process. Adhesives can be matched in density and colour to the tooling board.
Autonomous underwater vehicle. A type of robotic underwater submersible vehicle, designed to operate autonomously without human control, typically pre-programmed to complete a set function or job. See also ROV.Â
The process of layering multiple tooling boards together and bonding with adhesive to create a desired thickness or block size, ready for CNC machining to create a mould or pattern.
The identifiable line of adhesive between two or more tooling boards when bonded together to create a large block ready for CNC machining.
Buoyancy, or upthrust, is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of a partially or fully immersed object. Â
Subsea buoyancy modules are attached to underwater equipment or structures to control their positioning and stability. They are designed to reduce the weight of submerged objects, making them neutrally buoyant or positively buoyant.Â
The ability of a tooling board to withstand exposure to various chemicals or solvents without degradation of the material.
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a process used to create precise and complex shapes in tooling boards by controlling the movement of cutting tools with a computer.
A measure of how a tooling board's dimensions change in size with temperature variations, typically expressed in degrees Celsius -1 or degrees Kelvin -1 (°C -1 or OK -1). The lower the CTE, the more consistent and reliable the performance of the tooling board.Â
A pattern or mould used in composite manufacturing to create composite parts with specific shapes and structures.
The construction of composite patterns and moulds for manufacturing composite parts, often used in aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
The process of allowing the composite materials to harden and solidify within the pattern, typically by controlling temperature and time.
The process of removing the final composite part from the pattern or mould.
The mass of a tooling board material per unit volume, typically measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
The ability of a tooling board to maintain its shape and size under different temperature and humidity conditions to provide consistent performance.
The process where a part can be manufactured directly from a mould or tool without the need for a costly carbon fibre prepreg to be manufactured.
A type of tooling board made from epoxy material, known for its use in high-temperature applications where dimensional stability is key, and great for the replications of fine detail designs.
A tooling board assembly used to securely hold a workpiece or part in place during machining, inspection, or assembly processes.
A protective, outer layer applied to the composite pattern to provide a smooth and glossy surface finish to the final composite part.
The temperature at which a tooling board undergoes a transition from a hard, rigid board to a softer, more rubbery state losing its dimensional stability and deforming easily. Typically expressed in degree Celsius (°C).
Used in manufacturing as a filler for lightweighting, hollow glass microspheres are tiny spherical glass balloons or bubbles with diameters ranging from c. 10 to 300 micrometres. Often abbreviated to HGMS, they are typically made from a borosilicate and soda-lime glass formulation. Â
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Human-operated vehicle. An underwater submersible that is directly operated by a human pilot or operator, located either onboard the vehicle or connected to it. See also ROV. Â
The process of layering or arranging multiple tooling boards together to create a desired thickness or block size.
See also blocking up. Â
The ease with which a tooling board can be machined or shaped using various cutting tools, such as a CNC machine.
The border line between two halves of a mould made from a tooling board that is used to create multipart moulds.
A type of tooling board made from polyurethane (PU) materials, often chosen for its cost-effectiveness and versatility.
A substance applied to the tooling board surface to prevent the moulded material from sticking to it, aiding in the demoulding process.
The stiffness or inflexibility of a tooling board, which affects its ability to hold complex shapes without deformation.
Remotely operated vehicle. A type of robotic underwater submersible vehicle, used in a wide range of subsea applications including offshore oil and gas, marine research, oceanographic exploration and defence related operations. ROVs are controlled by operators typically located on a surface vessel or onshore.Â
Provides an enhanced finish to the mould or pattern created from the tooling board, improves the durability of the mould, and prevents the absorption of other materials during the layup or blocking up process.
Buoyancy materials created specifically for the purpose of providing buoyancy to objects in underwater environments such as ROV, AUV and HOVs. Â
The quality and smoothness of the surface of the tooling board after machining, often measured in terms of roughness average (Ra) or root mean square (RMS). Surface finish is important for achieving precise and smooth moulds or patterns.
A composite material that is made from two or more constituent materials with different physical properties to create a unique material. See also composite material. Â
The time it takes for the surface of epoxy tooling boards to cure and become tack-free, allowing for further processing or demoulding.
The ability of a tooling board to conduct and transfer heat, often important in applications where temperature control is critical. Typically expressed in Watts per metre Kelvin (W/mK).
The acceptable range of deviation from the desired dimensions or specifications, often expressed as a percentage or a specific measurement.
An epoxy or polyurethane material used to create moulds, patterns, models, and fixtures.
A process used to remove air and excess resin from composite patterns, improving the quality of the final composite part. A vacuum bag is placed over the composite layup and a vacuum pump draws air out of the bag creating a vacuum.
A manufacturing process that involves heating a plastic sheet and forming it over a mould or tooling board using a vacuum.