Microwave curing of carbon-epoxy composites: Penetration depth and material characterisation
Author(s)
Kwak, M
Robinson, P
Bismarck, A
Wise, R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Microwave heating has several major advantages over conventional conductive heating when used to cure carbon–epoxy composites, especially in speed of processing. Despite this and many other well-known advantages, microwave heating of carbon–epoxy composites has not taken off in industry, or even academia, due to the problems associated with microwave energy distribution, arcing, tool design and (ultimately) part quality and consistency, thus leading to a large scepticism regarding the technique/technology for heating such type of materials. This paper presents some evidence which suggests that with the correct hardware and operating procedure/methodology, consistent and high quality carbon–epoxy laminates can be produced, with the possibility of scaling up the process, as demonstrated by the micro- and macro-scale mechanical test results. Additionally, the author proposes a methodology to practically measure the maximum microwave penetration depth of a carbon–epoxy composite material.
Date Issued
2015-04-18
Date Acceptance
2015-04-11
Citation
Composites Part A - Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2015, 75, pp.18-27
ISSN
1359-835X
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
18
End Page
27
Journal / Book Title
Composites Part A - Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume
75
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Manufacturing
Materials Science, Composites
Engineering
Materials Science
Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
Mechanical properties
Interface/interphase
Cure
THERMAL CURE
RESINS
POLYMERS
Materials
0912 Materials Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
0901 Aerospace Engineering
Publication Status
Published