Microwave Radiator for Curing Polymer Composites (MRCPC)

The Navy requires a low-cost, industrial microwave system for curing aerospace composite materials. In this Phase I STTR proposal, Physical Sciences Inc outlines the development of a microwave applicator that uses low-cost RF sources and can be installed in heritage autoclaves for curing large aerospace composite parts. This technology has the potential to improve cured mechanical properties, and significantly reduce the autoclave cure cycle time and overall energy expense. The University of New Mexico will support the design and testing of this novel applicator with physics based electromagnetic modeling. ???????In Phase I, Physical Sciences Inc will measure the dielectric properties of several composite material systems and supply them for UNMÆs simulations. PSI and UNM will vary the frequencies, electric fields and applicator geometries to minimize cure time, while assuring uniform temperature distributions. The Phase I will conclude with a microwave curing experiment, with subsequent chemical and mechanical testing to compare microwave cured samples to those cured with conventional autoclave methods. During Phase II, PSI will work with a commercial composite manufacturer to perform a proof of concept demonstration in an autoclave. Data from these tests will be used to market the innovation for Phase III funding.