Study on Microwave Curing of Epoxy Matrix Composites.

Abstract

Microwave has been studied as an efficient alternative energy source which can significantly speeds up the curing process of polymer and polymer-based composites comparing with conventional heating systems, the ability of rapid and volumetric heating can dramatically reduce processing times and save energy. In this paper, the fundamentals of electromagnetic transmission, heat generation and transfer and cure kinetics of microwave curing process of polymer-based composites are discussed, and the latest research and practical applications of microwave curing are reviewed.