Patent ID: 8202465

Claim:
A process comprising: locating a mold billet in the form of an annular carbon fiber-reinforced phenolic matrix composite disc within an annular mold cavity including an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein a portion of the annular mold cavity is defined by a steel insert, and wherein a layer of calcium carbonate-filled fiberglass-reinforced plastic material that has a thermal conductivity of 1-2 BTU/hour/square foot/inch/F.° at 450° F. is positioned between the steel insert and a heat source configured to heat the mold billet in the mold cavity; and applying heat via the heat source and pressure to the mold cavity, wherein the layer of calcium carbonate-filled fiberglass-reinforced plastic material is positioned relative to the mold cavity such that heat transfer from the heat source into the mold billet through a bottom surface of the mold cavity is greater than heat transfer from the heat source into the steel insert.