Studies on mechanical behavior of microwave and thermally cured glass fiber reinforced polymer composites

An investigation into the mechanical behavior of microwave-cured glass-epoxy composites is carried out and the results are compared with those of thermally cured composites. Microwave curing of a glass fiber reinforced bifunctional epoxy resin system (LY556/HY951) is carried out in custom-built, multi-mode, industrial microwave cure equipment operating at a frequency of 2450 MHz. Through tensile, compression, and flexural strength tests, it is demonstrated that while the mechanical properties of microwave-cured composites compare well with those of the thermally cured ones, the microwave curing process, per se, results in a significant reduction in the process cycle time and power consumption.