The Design of a TM₁₀ Resonant Cavity Microwave Applicator as a Preheating Andcrosslinking Die for Pultruded Composites

Abstract

Pultrusion is the only continuous process available for the manufacture of fibre reinforced thermosetting composites. It its simplest form it requires that dry reinforcement inthe form of continuous rovings or fabrics is pulled through a shallow bath of resin and then through a heated metal die wherein the resin crosslinks to a rigid network. The rate of manufacture (pulling speed) depends on two factors; the rate of heat transfer to and through the composite by conduction from the (heated) die wall and the rate of heat generated internally by the (exothermic) crosslinking reaction.