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8
8.3.5 Co-curing Technology
In co-curing technology, two dissimilar matrix composites are cured
together in a single assembly. This process forms the completely
assembled product in a single operation, reducing the costs of
assembly and time. However, there can be problems with the compatibility of subassemblies during curing. Also, the formation of
induced or residual stress must be avoided to ensure the quality of
the product. Co-curing is carried out by controlling the curing
parameters, such temperature, time, and pressure.
To Be Remembered
1. Closed moulding processes are those in which all or part of
the product is processed in a closed vessel or chamber.
2. Matched die moulding has a matching core and cavity.
3. Compression moulding technology is the workhorse of the
closed moulding process in composites.
4. Autoclaving and vacuum bag processes are used where
condensate and byproducts come out during the curing
process.
5. Costs of consumables increase the processing cost in
autoclaving and vacuum bag technologies.
6. Injection moulding technology is the most popular
manufacturing technology for the production of short
fibre-reinforced thermoplastics..
7. Important parts of injection moulding machines are the
clamping unit, injection unit, heating unit, and control unit.
8. Pultrusion is the fastest manufacturing technology for
thermosetting resin-based composites.
9. Vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) is used
for products that require good control over volume
fractions of the reinforcement and the matrix. VATRM alsp
provides a good surface finish on both sides of the composite product.
Exercises
1. How many layers of glass fabric are required for making a planar
laminate of 3 mm thickness with ideal volume fractions? The
thickness and arial density of glass fabric are 0.33 mm and 425
GSM (g/m 2 ), respectively. Densities of glass and epoxy resin are
2.54 g/cm 3 and 1.2 g/cm 3 , respectively.
2. Write down the processing parameters for the injection moulding process.
3. Why is the temperature of an injection nozzle kept at the maximum temperature compared to other zones of an injection
barrel?
4. A 10-mm-thick ballistic panel has been fabricated out of Kevlarreinforced polyetherimide composite. Estimate the numbers of
Chapter 8 · Processability in Closed Mould Processing of Polymeric Composites
8
8.3.5 Co-curing Technology
In co-curing technology, two dissimilar matrix composites are cured
together in a single assembly. This process forms the completely
assembled product in a single operation, reducing the costs of
assembly and time. However, there can be problems with the compatibility of subassemblies during curing. Also, the formation of
induced or residual stress must be avoided to ensure the quality of
the product. Co-curing is carried out by controlling the curing
parameters, such temperature, time, and pressure.
To Be Remembered
1. Closed moulding processes are those in which all or part of
the product is processed in a closed vessel or chamber.
2. Matched die moulding has a matching core and cavity.
3. Compression moulding technology is the workhorse of the
closed moulding process in composites.
4. Autoclaving and vacuum bag processes are used where
condensate and byproducts come out during the curing
process.
5. Costs of consumables increase the processing cost in
autoclaving and vacuum bag technologies.
6. Injection moulding technology is the most popular
manufacturing technology for the production of short
fibre-reinforced thermoplastics..
7. Important parts of injection moulding machines are the
clamping unit, injection unit, heating unit, and control unit.
8. Pultrusion is the fastest manufacturing technology for
thermosetting resin-based composites.
9. Vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) is used
for products that require good control over volume
fractions of the reinforcement and the matrix. VATRM alsp
provides a good surface finish on both sides of the composite product.
Exercises
1. How many layers of glass fabric are required for making a planar
laminate of 3 mm thickness with ideal volume fractions? The
thickness and arial density of glass fabric are 0.33 mm and 425
GSM (g/m 2 ), respectively. Densities of glass and epoxy resin are
2.54 g/cm 3 and 1.2 g/cm 3 , respectively.
2. Write down the processing parameters for the injection moulding process.
3. Why is the temperature of an injection nozzle kept at the maximum temperature compared to other zones of an injection
barrel?
4. A 10-mm-thick ballistic panel has been fabricated out of Kevlarreinforced polyetherimide composite. Estimate the numbers of
Chapter 8 · Processability in Closed Mould Processing of Polymeric Composites