Observation of the heating behavior of infrared cured carbon fiber reinforced plastics

Abstract

Carbon Fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are widely used in automotive, aerospace, sports and leisure sector as light and high strength materials. Most advanced CFRPs are manufactured via autoclave ovens which apply temperature and pressure. But the usage of this material is still limited because of its limitations such as high costs and mass production difficulties. Therefore, new manufacturing methods are trying to be developed. In this study, the possibility of infrared curing method was inspected. For this purpose, an infrared heating system was installed to cure the CFRP. Medium wave-length infrared was used. The heating system allows altering the distance to change the distance effect on heating. Results showed that infrared heating is viable for controlled-heating when the autoclave cure cycle is to be applied as long as the distance of the lamp and material and the wattage of the infrared lamp are adjusted.