A Novel Technique for Processing Advance Composites and Joining/Bonding Epoxy

The development of a microwave curing method for resin matrix composites and jointing/bonding epoxy is proposed. This technique will take advantage of the ability of vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF) to absorb microwave energy with high efficiency. By adding VGCF to resin matrix composite material and epoxy, we hope that the materials can be processed by microwave irradiation in a manner that results in lower cost, improved physical properties, and much shorter processing time than achievable with conventional processing techniques. Since the processing time required to cure the epoxy is only a few minutes, the technique may very well eliminate or alleviate outgassing problems during curing commonly associated with joint/bonding epoxy. This research will significantly reduce the cost and time of processing resin matrix composite, and epoxy, and simplify the processing procedures. Reduced processing time may alleviate outgassing problems. Moreover, the technique will improve the mechanical properties of resin matrix composite and epoxy due to the high modulus of the added carbon fibers.