Patent ID: 7186367

Claim:
A fabrication method for polymer matrix composites comprising the steps of: providing a heating chamber about a molding assembly comprising a tool plate spaced from a caul plate by a composite with an inner barrier at least partially about the caul plate and at least assisting in providing a first environment about the composite, a second enviromnent external to the composite and the inner barrier; drawing a vacuum of a first amount in the first environment; drawing a vacuum of a second amount in the second environment, said first amount not equal to the second amount; performing at least one stage of a curing process in the heating chamber by providing a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time period while providing the vacuums in the first and second environments of the first and second amounts, the at least one stage being a B-stage of a two-step cure cycle, the first predetermined time being a B-stage time, and the first predetermined temperature being a B-stage temperature; completing the B-stage and providing a second predetermined temperature in the heating chamber for a second predetermined time; and providing a vacuum of a third amount within the first environment while releasing the vacuum in the second environment.