Research on Properties of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Resin Composite Material by Microwave Curing

Microwave irradiation was used to reduce the curing time of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite material.The properties of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite material under microwave curing were investigated by thermogravimetry(TG),dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA),impact strength test and scanning electron microscope(SEM).The results show that composite materials patch have high thermal stability after microwave curing.The initial degradation temperature is 330.9℃,the maximum thermal decomposition rate is at 368.1℃.When the layer of composite materials patchis 4 layers,the dynamic mechanical properties are the best after microwave curing.The initial storage modulus is 43.2 GPa,increased 28.3 GPa and 27.1 GPa than 3 layers and 5 layers,the glass transition temperature(Tg)is 67.48℃,increased about 12 ℃than 3 layers and 5 layers.Microwave curing can significantly improve the infiltration capacity of epoxy resin,enhance interfacial bonding,and increase the impact strength of composite patch.Under microwave curing,the impact strength of 3,4,5-layers composite material patches increases 35.9%,6.4% and 15.1%,respectively than heating curing.The SEM analysis of impact fracture surface shows that microwave curing can improve the interface of carbon fiber and epoxy resin.