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Variable Frequency Microwave Processing of Thermoset Polymer Matrix Composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Mark T. Demeuse  and
Arvid C. Johnson
Mark T. Demeuse
Affiliation:
EniChem America, Inc., 2000 Cornwall Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Arvid C. Johnson
Affiliation:
Microwave Laboratories, Inc., 8917 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
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Abstract

This paper reports on the use of variable frequency microwave processing to uniformly heat and post-cure large (>100 cm2) plates of thermoset polymer matrix composite (PMC) material consisting of isocyanate/epoxy mixtures. Prior work has indicated that microwave energy is capable of reducing the time or the temperature necessary to achieve full cure; however, single-frequency microwave heating results in non-uniformity of heating/curing in areas of over 12.5 cm2. By using a Variable Frequency Microwave Furnace and sweeping the microwave power over the 5 to 6 GHz frequency range at a power level of 150 Watts, uniform heating and curing of the PMC plates was achieved over an area of greater than 100 cm2-- and a volume of greater than 200 cm3. The overall temperature gradient across the surface of the plates was less than 10%. Finally, this paper also reports on observed, volume-related heating effects, which are postulated to be the result of heat loss from the sample surface.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 347: Symposium O – Microwave Processing of Materials IV , 1994 , 723
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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References

REFERENCES

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