Method and apparatus for thermally processing textile reinforced fiber composite workpieces

The invention relates to a method for thermally processing a textile-reinforced fiber composite workpiece having a plurality of superposed layers of electrically conductive textiles, and an apparatus usable for it. In the inventive method, a current is passed through the fiber composite workpiece in the thickness direction. By the current flowing in the thickness direction a predetermined amount of heat is generated and heats the fiber composite workpiece uniformly over its entire thickness in the fiber composite workpiece. The inventive device comprises an at least at the side facing the fiber composite workpiece surfaces partially conductive support structure, a current or voltage source, which is electrically conductively connected with the support structure, so that a current flow can be generated by at least portions of the fiber composite workpiece in the thickness direction, and means for applying pressure to at least a portion of the support structure so that a pressing pressure in the range of from 0.001 MPa to 10 MPa can be applied to at least portions of the fiber composite workpiece in the thickness direction.