Electromagnetic radiation curing of an epoxy/fibre glass reinforced composite

Conventional curing processes for producing thermoset composites uses a thermal approach, which suffers from numerous disadvantages, including a long curing cycle time. This paper reports on an alternative curing process using an electromagnetic microwave radiation source operated at 2450 MHz. Results indicate that a significantly faster curing time was achieved, with the cured specimens having strength properties at least as high as those cured in a thermal curing process, with the modulus value being significantly higher. The effects of the irradiation was also found to be uniform throughout the thickness of the material, for a 100 mm thick specimen. (author)