Backing film and method for ply materials

Abstract

A layered material includes a ply material and a backing film to support the ply material. The backing film includes a polyester film. The layered material is generated by disposing the backing film upon the ply material. A composite layup is generated by tacking the layered material to a tool, disposing the layered material upon the tool along a path, and removing the backing film.

1 . A layered material comprising: 
 a ply material; and    a backing film disposed upon the ply material, the backing film comprising a polyester film.    
   
   
       2 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing film further comprises: 
 a release coating to facilitate removal of the backing film from the composite ply material.    
   
   
       3 . The layered material according to  claim 2 , wherein the release coating comprises silicone.  
   
   
       4 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing film is about 0.001 to about 0.004 inches thick.  
   
   
       5 . The layered material according to  claim 4 , wherein the backing film is about 0.001 to about 0.002 inches thick.  
   
   
       6 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing film is substantially transparent.  
   
   
       7 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing film comprises polyethylene terephthalate.  
   
   
       8 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing film is heat stabilized.  
   
   
       9 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the ply material comprises graphite fibers.  
   
   
       10 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the ply material comprises a metal foil.  
   
   
       11 . The layered material according to  claim 10 , wherein the ply material comprises a titanium foil.  
   
   
       12 . The layered material according to  claim 11 , wherein the ply material comprises a titanium graphite composite.  
   
   
       13 . The layered material according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing film is recyclable.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for generating backed ply material, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for disposing a polyester film upon a ply material; and    means for generating a roll of the backed ply material by wrapping the backed ply material about a spool.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the polyester film is substantially transparent.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for generating a composite layup, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for tacking a ply material having a polyester backing film to a tool;    means for disposing the ply material upon the tool along a path; and    means for removing the polyester backing film.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 means for cutting the ply material in response disposing the ply material at an end of the path.    
   
   
       18 . A method of generating a backed ply material, the method comprising: 
 disposing a polyester film upon a ply material.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 generating a roll of the backed ply material by wrapping the backed ply material about a spool.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the polyester film is substantially transparent.  
   
   
       21 . A method of generating a composite layup, the method comprising: 
 tacking a ply material having a polyester backing film to a tool;    disposing the ply material upon the tool along a path; and    removing the polyester backing film.    
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 cutting the ply material in response disposing the ply material at an end of the path.    
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 recycling the polyester backing film in response to the removing step.