Abstract
The increasing use of composite materials has led to a greater demand for efficient curing cycles to reduce costs and speed up production cycles in manufacturing. One method to achieve this goal is in-line cure monitoring to determine the exact curing time. This article proposes a novel method through which to monitor the curing process inside closed tools by employing ultrasonic spectroscopy. A simple experiment is used to demonstrate the change in the ultrasonic spectrum during the cure cycle of an epoxy. The results clearly reveal a direct correlation between the amplitude and state of cure. The glass transition point is indicated by a global minimum of the reflected amplitude.
Highlights
Composite materials offer high stiffness at low weight
That makes them an ideal material for aeronautical and space applications and even for lightweight automotive parts. This broader range of applications has led to the need for large quantities of composite materials at lower prices and with consistent quality
A possible solution to the issue is the application of cure monitoring
Summary
That makes them an ideal material for aeronautical and space applications and even for lightweight automotive parts. This broader range of applications has led to the need for large quantities of composite materials at lower prices and with consistent quality. This in turn provides new challenges in manufacturing. The curing time is a challenge, as faster production cycles are needed. A possible solution to the issue is the application of cure monitoring. This allows optimization of curing cycles, resulting in higher productivity
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