Impact of a microwave curing process on tensile strength of selected carbon fiber composites

The traditional process for curing carbon fiber (CF) composites has been the autoclave system. A review of recent research indicates curing CF composites in a microwave oven has the potential for reducing processing time. The problem statement of the experimental study was that the impact of a microwave curing process on tensile strength of selected CF composite specimens was unknown. The research study describes the statistical procedure and analysis of data to answer the specific question for the experimental trials: What is the effect on the tensile strength of cured CF composite samples due to the relationship of the autoclave and microwave curing process cycle time and temperature? ASTM International standard test method designation D 5083 - 02 was used for testing tensile strength of reinforced carbon fiber plastics using straight-sided specimens. Analytical data was obtained for evaluating the effects of process cycle time and temperature on tensile strength of the CF composite specimens. The result was that curing time of the autoclave system and microwave process had significant effects on the maximum tensile stress of CF composite specimen. Although 83% faster than the autoclave system, the microwave curing process had CF specimens with lower maximum tensile strength compared with the autoclave system results. The primary reason for the difference was that the microwave process did not use vacuum or pressure. Considering the cost/benefit ratio, the research study indicated that the microwave oven would be a viable and efficient process for curing CF composites.