HEAT TREATMENT OF FIBROUS PREFORMS VIA FLUID FLOW SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Systems and methods for performing an in-tool carbonization process including exotherm control on a fibrous preform (110) includes one or more temperature control channels (130, 132) disposed in a heat treatment tooling fixture (100). A fluid may be moved through the temperature control channel(s) for controlling a temperature of the fibrous preform as the fibrous preform is heated during carbonization. A fluid source (140), a valve arrangement, and one or more heaters (234, 235) can be controlled for regulating a temperature and/or flow rate of fluid through the temperature control channel(s). In this manner, the fibrous preform may be uniformly brought to an exotherm temperature range such that shrinking of the fibrous preform occurs simultaneously and uniformly throughout the fibrous preform. The temperature control channels can be grouped by geographic location for zoned temperature control. The carbonization process can be performed using a single composite fixture or using both metallic and composite fixtures.