Effect of infrared cure parameters on the mechanical properties of polymer composite laminates

P. Kiran Kumar, N. V. Raghavendra, B. K. Sridhara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, an attempt has been made to use infrared radiation curing as an alternative to conventional thermal curing for glass fiber-reinforced epoxy amine matrix composites in order to reduce the curing time without compromising on the properties of composite. Central composite design experimental technique is used to study the influence of infrared cure parameters. Distance from infrared source to composite laminate (A), curing schedule (B), and volume (C) of the composite were the factors considered, tensile and flexural strength were the responses measured to study the effect of process parameters. ANOVA, regression analysis was used to build the models. Contour and overlaid graphs were drawn to understand the relationship between the factors. It is shown that it is possible to achieve tensile strength and flexural strength of around 400 MPa with the IR curing schedule of 70 min. IR curing of polymer composites can be a viable alternative to thermal curing.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)549-556
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Composite Materials
Volume46
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors wish to acknowledge the support provided by the Principal and Management of BNM Institute of Technology, Bangalore and The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore and Head of the Departments of Mechanical Engineering of these Institutes for extending their support in this project work. The authors acknowledge the guidance extended by Professor M.S. Krupashankara, consultant radiation curing of materials. The authors profusely thank Dr L. Krishna Murthy and Professor S. Suresha for their valuable suggestions and guidance in the statistical analysis.

Funding

The authors wish to acknowledge the support provided by the Principal and Management of BNM Institute of Technology, Bangalore and The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore and Head of the Departments of Mechanical Engineering of these Institutes for extending their support in this project work. The authors acknowledge the guidance extended by Professor M.S. Krupashankara, consultant radiation curing of materials. The authors profusely thank Dr L. Krishna Murthy and Professor S. Suresha for their valuable suggestions and guidance in the statistical analysis.

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Engineering
Dublin Institute of Technology

    Keywords

    • Polymer composites
    • infrared radiation curing
    • tensile and flexural strength

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