Patent ID: 7867566

Claim:
A method for fabricating a reinforced matrix composite having low porosity, comprising: providing a tool; providing a composite preform on a portion of the tool, the composite preform having a fibrous structure and having a center and outer edges; applying a preselected amount of matrix material onto the preform at preselected locations along the preform to produce a coated preform, the matrix material having a preselected curing temperature; applying a layer of barrier material to at least a portion of the coated preform, to direct the flow of matrix material into the preform; heating the composite preform to a preselected temperature, the preselected temperature being sufficient to render the matrix material viscous, but below the preselected curing temperature of the matrix material to cause expansion of the tool which causes tensional force across the composite preform; reducing pressure to an interior of the composite preform, while increasing the pressure to the barrier material, thereby creating a pressure differential; holding the temperature at the preselected temperature while flowing the matrix material from the predetermined locations into the composite preform as a result of the pressure differential to force gases from the fibrous structure; heating the composite preform to the preselected curing temperature; and curing the matrix material at the preselected curing temperature for a predetermined amount of time and cooling to ambient temperature to form a reinforced matrix composite having a low void space content and a substantially uniform matrix distribution wherein the matrix material flows in a direction from the center to the outer edges.