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As during production in lay up process, curing of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites is a critical step in achieving higher strength and it is one of the time consuming process. More and more there is a growing demand for faster and better method, which facilitates the increase in production rate in the industry. Alternative curing methods available to conventional thermal curing method are the uv radiation curing, oven curing, and infrared curing methods. Infrared curing has advantages w.r.t power consumption, curing time and cost. Do you use such infrared systems in your curing process?
Hello Fadi, Thank you for your reply.
I agree with you w.r.t processes like LRTM, which reduces on man hour and provides both sides finish product. I am using LRTM where aesthetic is required like recreational products in our case.
But for certain complex shape where there is negative draft at corners. To release such products we provide detachable flanges for easy release. Those products are feasible in layup process for its complexity & Volume.
A polyester product gets fully cured after weeks but my concern is at the time of molding. With external heating system if we can expedite on process which can assist us to release the product as fast as possible. It should be cured enough to get released without getting deform. Curing will be happening continuously in the product after release. Advantage will be on productivity, as molds will be free any more nos. of cycles can be Done.
Hello Arshad, hand lay-up is a slow process, but at the same time, an evil that one can't fully avoid no matter how hard they try! I would rather push LRTM, infusion & pultrusion than costly man-hour hand lay up or invest more money in solving its inherent problems.
I never encountered an infrared curing system before, but in general, it's an interesting concept for limited projects in polyester, because, polyester composites fully cure after weeks and such a system might not be the best idea around.
Regards
Fadi
Fadi
