Tooling materials compatible with carbon fibre composites in a microwave environment

Nuhiji, Betime; Swait, T.J.; Bower, Matthew P.; Green, James E.; Day, Richard; Scaife, Richard J.

doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.01.047

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Figure 3 displays the results of the dielectric properties as well as the temperature-time-power graphs generated from the microwave test bed, whereas Table 1 outlines the diffusivity and conductivity properties of the materials. The dielectric permittivity is a measure of stored energy, whereas the loss controls the heat that a material can generate [ 13 ]. Combined, the results facilitate the selection of a MAM for large-scale microwave manufacturing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dielectric properties of the absorbers were measured using the equipment outlined in previous work by the authors [ 13 ]. The two methods used include resonance cavity perturbation to measure non-laminar materials and a mode cavity method (Split-Post Dielectric Resonator (SPDR)) for laminar based materials.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To obtain these advantages on an industrial scale, without a reduction in composite performance, the manufacturing method must be optimised accordingly. This requires an appreciation of how materials behave when exposed to an electromagnetic (EM) environment [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], including tools and composite parts [ 11 , 12 , 13 ], as well as the use of absorbers (also referred to as susceptors) [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effects of Absorbing Materials on the Homogeneity of Composite Heating by Microwave Radiation

et al. 2021

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When cured in a microwave, flat thin composite panels can experience even heat distribution throughout the laminate. However, as load and geometric complexity increase, the electromagnetic field and resulting heat distribution is altered, making it difficult to cure the composite homogeneously. Materials that absorb and/or reflect incident electromagnetic radiation have the potential to influence how the field behaves, and therefore to tailor and improve the uniformity of heat distribution. In this study, an absorber was applied to a composite with non-uniform geometry to increase heating in the location which had previously been the coldest position, transforming it into the hottest. Although this result overshot the desired outcome of temperature uniformity, it shows the potential of absorbing materials to radically change the temperature distribution, demonstrating that with better regulation of the absorbing effect, a uniform temperature distribution is possible even in non-uniform composite geometries.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effects of Absorbing Materials on the Homogeneity of Composite Heating by Microwave Radiation

et al. 2021

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“…2 A significant amount of recent research has been conducted into the use of microwaves to cure CFRPs and similar material systems. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] However, the use of this technology remains limited and will most likely remain this way for at least the near future until numerous challenges are overcome. 5,14,15 While traditional thermal approaches such as autoclave curing are currently more established, microwave processing is poised to play an increasingly important role in composite part fabrication.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microwave processing of carbon fibre polymer composites: a review

Galos

2020

Polymers and Polymer Composites

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Microwave processing of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is gaining increasing attention as an alternative to conventional thermal processing techniques. It has the potential to reduce part processing times and alleviate the bottleneck that often exists in composite component production. The present study reviews the current research and the state-of-the-art of microwave processing of CFRP composites. The benefits and limitations of microwave processing compared with traditional thermal processing methods are examined. The mechanical properties of microwave-cured composites are compared against conventionally-cured counterparts with varying levels of success. Current industrial microwave heating technologies are also examined. It is evident that microwave processing of polymer composites is promising but has notable limiting factors which have stunted its uptake in industry. Due to their prevalence in literature, CFRP composites with thermosetting matrices are the focus of this review. However, potential applications to carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics are also briefly described.

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“…However, with carbon fibre composites the fibres present the higher loss factor and are heated by induced currents known as induction heating. Owing to the superior energy transfer, microwaves have been applied for curing (79)(80)(81)(82)(83)(84) , three-dimensional (3D) printing (85) , joining (86)(87)(88)(89) , de-icing (90,91) , thermography (92)(93)(94)(95)(96)(97) and recycling (98,99) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of microwave techniques used in the manufacture and fault detection of aircraft composites

Li¹,

Wang²,

Haigh³

et al. 2020

Aeronaut. j.

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Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation commonly used for telecommunications, navigation and food processing. More recently microwave technologies have found applications in fibre-reinforced polymer composites, which are increasingly used in aircraft structures. Microwave energy can be applied with low power (up to milliwatts) for non-destructive testing and high power (up to kilowatts) for heating/curing purposes. The state-of-the-art applications at high power include curing, three-dimensional (3D) printing, joining and recycling, whereas low-power microwave techniques can provide quality checks, strain sensing and damage inspection. Low-power microwave testing has the advantage of being non-contact, there is no need for surface transducers or couplants, it is operator friendly and relatively inexpensive; high-power microwave energy can offer volumetric heating, reduced processing time and energy saving with no ionising hazards. In this paper the recent research progress is reviewed, identifying achievements and challenges. First, the critical electromagnetic properties of composites that are closely related to the heating and sensing performance are discussed. Then, representative case studies are presented. Finally, the trends are outlined, including intelligent/automated inspection and solid-state heating.

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Tooling materials compatible with carbon fibre composites in a microwave environment

Cited by 21 publications

References 35 publications

The Effects of Absorbing Materials on the Homogeneity of Composite Heating by Microwave Radiation

The Effects of Absorbing Materials on the Homogeneity of Composite Heating by Microwave Radiation

Microwave processing of carbon fibre polymer composites: a review

Review of microwave techniques used in the manufacture and fault detection of aircraft composites

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