Ferromagnetic Nano-Particulate and Conductive Mesh Susceptors for Induction-Based Repair of Composites

摘要

The Army Research Laboratory is leading research in developing non-autoclave resin curing technologies including a variety of electromagnetic and radiation methods. Induction-heated bonding of thermoset and thermoplastic polymer matrix composites consists of the heating of a susceptor placed between the parts or of the direct heating of the composite. Induction heating can occur in composite materials due to several mechanisms. The heating obtained by these mechanisms is optimized through the development of various susceptors. The current study examines these susceptor techniques for optimized adaptation to specific Army processing and repair needs. In the case of conductive mesh susceptors, an algorithm is then used to optimize the cut patterns in the mesh to provide significant decreases in the susceptor thermal gradients. In case of ferromagnetic particle-based susceptors, several innovative approaches have been undertaken which serve to optimize heating and to establish a thermally controlled repair process by taking advantage of the Curie temperature. For several repair adhesives studied, a methodology was developed which can be used to accelerate the cure of room temperature. For several repair adhesives studied, a methodology was developed which can be used to accelerate the cure of room temperature curing adhesives for rapid repair.