Zone-regulated microwave heating of CFRP laminates via ultrathin and flexible resonance structures with different working frequencies. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Jing; Li, Yingguang; Liu, Shuting; Zhang, Yicheng; Wang, Pan; Sui, Shaochun
• Is Part Of: Composites communications. Volume 29(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Carbon fibres -- Polymer-matrix composites -- Curing -- Microwave processing
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2021.101016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2452-2139

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are integral to today's industries. Curing is a vital process for manufacturing CFRP components. Recently, great attention has been devoted to curing CFRP components via controllable temperature gradients, taking their geometries and structures into consideration. Here, for the first time, we proposed an idea to regionally manipulate the temperature distribution of the CFRP laminate through frequency-selective absorption. Specifically, two kinds of periodically arranged metallic resonance structures (18 μm thick) working at 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz were designed and fabricated. Frequency-selective absorption and thus zone-regulated microwave heating have been realized by introducing these ultrathin and flexible resonance structures on the CFRP laminate. On this basis, two applications have also been demonstrated, including a dynamically patterned thermal display and a uniform heating process on laminates with non-uniform thickness. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Two resonance structures with a working frequency of 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz were designed and fabricated. A rapid and noncontact heating process with independently controllable thermal zones has been realized. Two potential applications of our dynamically patterned microwave heating method have been demonstrated.