Microwave-thermal technique for energy and time efficient curing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer prepreg composites

This paper investigates fabrication and mechanical properties of L-930 carbon fiber reinforced polymer woven prepreg composites cured using three different techniques: (1) thermal, (2) microwave, and (3) the combination of microwave and thermal. The third technique was established through parametric studies and proved to be an efficient method in curing the carbon fiber reinforced polymer prepregs without compromising mechanical properties, but with significant energy and time saving. With 20min in microwave at 510W followed by 60min thermal curing in convection oven at 120? provided optimum results in terms of time and energy saving. The process was 2.5 times faster than and consumed only 1/4th of energy required for the autoclave curing. The mechanical properties in tension and flexure of carbon fiber reinforced polymer [0/90] and [+/- 45] laminates cured with this technique were 1-5% better than the autoclave cured laminates. The details of the composites fabrication, the curing techniques, the experiments conducted along with the rationale and underlying reasons for the success of the new microwave-thermal curing technique are presented in this paper.