1. Volumetric heating by electromagnetic energy absorption - a potential for the mass production of structural composites
- Author
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Malaczynski, Gerard W., Dinatale, Claude A., and Cinpinski, Gerald J.
- Subjects
Composite materials -- Research ,Manufacturing processes -- Research ,Materials -- Thermal properties ,Heat balance (Engineering) -- Research ,Engineering and manufacturing industries ,Science and technology - Abstract
The problem of excessive heat buildup in a heat diffusion supported thermosetting process may lead, especially in the case of thick composite profiles, to compromised quality or even thermal degradation of the final product. A computer simulation of a real manufacturing process demonstrates this intrinsic weakness of the conventional manufacturing process by showing nonuniformities in the degree of cure development and a temperature inversion at the end of the processing cycle. Those nonuniformities in thermal expansion and contraction may be avoided by heating the composite uniformly throughout the whole cross section. This can be achieved with the help of electromagnetic irradiation. The electric energy absorption and, hence, conversion to heat takes place uniformly in the whole bulk of the material, regardless of the position. In effect, one can expect that the uniformly fast cured composite features superior mechanical properties over that of a composite that is conventionally processed.
- Published
- 1993