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Abstract

A single piece carbon fiber composite article suitable for use as a hot-press mold is has an inner volume of chopped fiber and an outer volume of continuous carbon fiber all in a common graphite support matrix. The article is assembled by winding continuous carbon fiber around a mandrel formed of chopped carbon fiber in a matrix of carbon, impregnating the interstice in the winding and mandrel with graphite precursor material. The precursor material is converted to graphite, creating a common matrix between the internal mandrel and the external windings. The internal volume is machinable to form a graphite mold cavity, and has essentially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the external volume.

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First Claim