Abstract
ABSTRACTThis 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.
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