Abstract: A vacuum (15) as applied to a porous contoured mold (18) for drawing an impervious adhesive film (16) against a cloth fabric layer (14) to conform the cloth fabric layer (14) to the contours of the mold surface. A matching cellular foam cushion pad (12) is placed in mating engagement with the adhesive film (16) as it is held to the contour of the mold surface by the vacuum. The foam pad (12) is compressed against the mold (18) by a perforated platen (36) and held in place as the vacuum is discontinued. Steam is then supplied through the porous mold (12) to heat and diffuse the adhesive film (16) into the adjacent fabric layer (14) and cellular foam pad (12) for adhesively securing the two together. A partial vacuum is then applied for removing moisture by drawing air through the perforations (44) of the platen (36), the foam pad (12), fabric layer (14) and porous mold (18). This ambient air also cools and cures the diffused adhesive between the fabric (14) and the foam (12).

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of making a porous rigid structure for use as a mold and the porous rigid structure formed thereby. Finely divided metallic particles are coated with a composition comprising a fluid thermosetting resin dissolved in a volatile solvent. Similarly, carbide particles are coated with the same composition of fluid thermosetting resin dissolved in a volatile solvent. The coated metallic particles and the coated carbide particles are mixed together and compacted into a predetermined shape of particles. Metallic needles are coated with the same composition of fluid thermosetting resin dissolved in a volatile solvent and mixed with fibers thereby forming a substrate structure. The substrate and the predetermined shape of particles are then compacted into a integrally bonded bi-layer to form a rigid structure.