Latent-Cure Composite Curing via Localized Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Curing of thick composite materials often results in high peak temperatures due to poor heat dissipation, leading to thermal stress in moulding tools and distortion in the moulded articles.
Innovation Solution
Applying heat selectively to a first region of a composite material, allowing the exothermic curing reaction to initiate and spread to other areas while maintaining the material in an insulated state to control temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat is applied uniformly to the entire composite material to initiate curing, then the curing reaction is initiated throughout the material, but high peak temperatures are generated due to poor heat dissipation in thick sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating selectively to specific regions (first region 10′, second region 10″) of the composite material rather than uniformly heating the entire material. This localized heating approach initiates curing in targeted areas while allowing better thermal management, preventing the high peak temperatures that would result from uniform heating of thick sections.
2Temperature
If the composite material is left uninsulated to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but the curing reaction cannot spread effectively to other areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating process into distinct phases: first, localized heating of specific regions to initiate curing; second, insulation of the material to allow the exothermic curing reaction to generate and spread heat throughout the remaining uncured areas. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the heat generation phase from the heat dissipation phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary localized heating to specific regions before insulation to initiate the curing reaction. This preliminary action creates the initial heat source that will then spread through the insulated material, ensuring effective curing spread while maintaining temperature control.
3Productivity
If high peak temperatures are generated during curing, then the curing reaction proceeds rapidly, but thermal stress in moulding tools and thermal distortion in moulded articles occur
Solution Approach 1:
By applying heat locally to specific regions rather than uniformly, the patent achieves rapid curing in those regions without generating high peak temperatures throughout the entire material. This prevents the thermal stress and distortion that would result from uniform high-temperature curing, while still maintaining high productivity through targeted rapid curing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively reduces high peak temperatures, enabling controlled curing of composite materials and preventing thermal issues in moulding tools and articles.
Implementation Method 1
Curing of curable resins involves polymerisation and cross-linking reactions between the resin components, and is a generally exothermic process
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the composite material in an insulated state, such that the curing of said curable resin spreads to regions of the composite material outside of said first region
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for curing of a composite material. The method involves applying heat to only a first region of said composite material, such that said first region is heated to a temperature above the cure onset temperature of said curable resin, thus initiating curing of said curable resin in said first region; and maintaining the composite material in an insulated state, such that the curing of said curable resin spreads to regions of the composite material outside of said first region.