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Polymer Curing Using Variable Frequency Microwave Processing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

April D. Surret ,
Robert J. Lauf ,
Felix L. Paulauskas  and
Arvid C. Johnson
April D. Surret
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6087
Robert J. Lauf
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6087
Felix L. Paulauskas
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6087
Arvid C. Johnson
Affiliation:
Microwave Laboratories, Inc., 8917 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
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Abstract

Epoxy resin was cured by microwave heating using a variable frequency furnace. Curing behavior and uniformity were characterized by visual inspection, hardness, and differential scanning calorimetry. Frequency sweeping was used as a means of mode stirring to minimize power nonuniformities in the furnace cavity. Cure times were reduced by half and with the appropriate post-cure treatment (also done in the microwave furnace) the resin had a glass transition temperature of 165–175°C. Small amounts of additives such as carbon black and various oxide pigments were tested to determine if they would improve microwave coupling and further reduce cure time. There was little or no effect at a standard concentration of 1 wt% pigment.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 347: Symposium O – Microwave Processing of Materials IV , 1994 , 691
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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References

REFERENCES

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