Importance

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Abstract

A method of bonding and shaping a plurality of pieces of material disposed in a fluid tight container includes providing a housing having components with different coefficients of thermal expansion. The container is positioned between upper and lower sections of the housing. The housing is then enclosed in an autoclave. The fluid in the autoclave and housing is heated with a resulting increase in the fluid pressure in the autoclave and housing. As the temperature and pressure in the housing is increased, the joint between the container and the housing sections is sealed by pressing the upper and lower sections of the housing against the container under the influence of forces resulting from different amounts of of thermal expansion of components of the housing. Thereafter, the fluid pressure in the autoclave is increased. Since the joint between the housing and the container has been sealed, the further increase in fluid pressure is applied to only the upper side of the container. This forces the container downwardly against a forming surface having a configuration corresponding to a desired configuration of the pieces of material.

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First Claim