Bladder Molding
What is it
Composite bladder molding is the ideal
manufacturing process to produce extreme complex hollow shapes – thus different from any round or oval tube -, such as a bicycle frame.
How it works
The composite laminates are applied around a bladder. Both are placed into a hollow mold. Once the mold is closed, air pressure is applied to the inside of the bladder causing its expansion. This latter pushes the composite material laminates against the inside of the mold cavity. The mold is heated to “cure” the composite, thus obtaining the mold shape.