Patent ID: 8435370

Claim:
A method for making a prepreg assembly having a grid of channels through which air can escape comprising the steps of: providing a first prepreg ply comprising a fibrous reinforcement located in a heat-curable resin matrix, said first prepreg ply having a surface; providing a second prepreg ply comprising a fibrous reinforcement located in a heat-curable resin matrix, said second prepreg ply having a surface; locating a scrim between said first prepreg ply and said second prepreg ply, said scrim comprising a plurality of strands that form a grid; and pressing the surfaces of said first and second prepreg plies against said scrim to form said prepreg assembly, said surfaces being pressed together so as to form the air escape channels that are located between the surfaces of said first and second prepreg plies and along said plurality of strands, said air escape channels forming a grid of channels through which air can escape from said prepreg assembly.