Comparative study of in-situ temperature measurement during microwave-assisted compression-molding and conventionally compression-molding process

This work is focused on the comparative study of in-situ processing temperature measurement during microwave-assisted compression molding (MACM) and conventionally compression molding (CCM) of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic matrix composite (FRTMC). In the present study, Kenaf reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite (volume fraction 20%) was chosen as the FRTMC. The processing temperature of the FRTMC was selected as per melting peak obtained from differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The degradation temperature of FRTMC was obtained using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The fabrication time using MACM was found to be 84% less compared to CCM. In the MACM, temperature variation towards width and depth of specimen was found to be negligible. The thermal contours were used to observe temperature profiles during composite fabrication using CCM and MACM. Furthermore, the mechanical response of the MACM fabricated composite was better compared to CCM composite. (C) 2021 CIRP.

Automated summary

This study focused on the comparative study of in-situ processing temperature measurement during microwave-assisted compression molding (MACM) and conventionally compression molding (CCM) of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic matrix composite (FRTMC), with results showing that the mechanical response of the MACM fabricated composite was better compared to CCM composite.