Infrared promise for composite heat dilemma

摘要

Sunaero is developing a handheld infrared composite curing device, which shortens repair times without subjecting the material to excessive heat. The equipment, originally developed to speed polymer seal repairs in fuel systems, matches the infrared wavelength to the material's properties to optimise surface temperature and heat penetration depth. Sealant curing times were cut by a factor 12 despite holding surface temperature to about 45℃. A version for carbon fibre may be available around mid-2012 and would do away with the heating blankets typically used to ensure that curing heat penetrates structures that can have in excess of 100 plies and be 8-10cm thick, possibly overheating the surface.