Fixtures and method for controlling bow in laminate structures

Abstract

A method for forming a laminate structure is disclosed. The method comprises positioning a prelamination on a fixture. The prelamination comprises first and second layers having first and second coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), respectively, with the second CTE being greater than the first CTE. The prelamination comprises a polymer interlayer disposed between the first and second layers. The method further comprises inducing a target counter bow in a major surface of the prelamination via the fixture. The fixture is configured to orient a reference plane of the prelamination transversely with respect to gravity to induce the target counter bow. The method further comprises laminating the prelamination on the fixture while inducing the target counter bow to form the laminate structure. The target counter bow is configured to reduce a reference bow in the major surface that would result if the prelamination was laminated without the target counter bow.

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