Conveyorized Radio Frequency Cure of Epoxy Glass Composites.
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to develop a dielectric heating capability for curing fiber reinforced composite structure. The specific objectives were to develop optimum radio frequency (rf) cure cycles for resin/fiber composites, establish process parameters relative to feed rate, rf power levels, electrode spacing, and material thickness variations. Present manufacturing technology for curing epoxy/fiber composite structure involves the use of large energy consuming facilities (ovens, autoclaves, resistant or radiant heaters, etc.) which entail costly flow times. The use of direct dielectric heating can provide, in some instances, a cost effective alternate curing method. It has been shown that a cost savings of 75 percent can be realized by the use of radio frequency curing over conventional curing by conduction heating. In the basic principles applied to cure by dielectric heating, an alternating electric field causes oscillatory displacements in the charged components of the dielectric, the energy for motion being absorbed from the electric field. The energy absorbed by the molecules is translated into rotational kinetic energy of the entire molecule, resulting in a temperature increase. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA089728
Entities
People
- Lawrence C. Ritter
Organizations
- Boeing Rotorcraft Systems