- Microwave Curing can reduce cycle times by 50%
- Up to 30% less energy consumption
- Winner at JEC Asia Innovation Awards – Category: Automotive
Economic and environmental drivers have forced the composite manufacturing industry to consider moving away from traditional oven or autoclave curing, which has high energy costs and long cycle times that are not suitable for large production. Microwave curing is a technology that offers improved cycle times and reduced energy consumption. Microwave processing does not involve convection heating of the surfaces as microwave energy penetrates directly into the material. Heat is distributed evenly, even within thick materials, in a short time. It has been shown that cycle times can be reduced by 50% or more compared to autoclave molding.
Up to 30% less energy consumption compared to traditional convection heating
The company KC Tech, Korea, has introduced this technology at this year’s JEC Asia Innovation Awards. An engine acoustic cover incorporating complex surface details uncommon in typical carbon aerospace components has been successfully manufactured using microwave curing. The process demonstrated a reduction of curing time and energy consumption up to 30% compared to traditional convection heating techniques, with further gains expected after additional research and optimization. Refinements were made to the layup, bagging, shielding of fibers and consumable arrangements, which resulted in the final component exhibiting properties equal to an equivalent oven-cured one. Curing the engine acoustic cover by microwave is one of the most difficult tasks in the manufacturing process since the shape of the cover is quite complex.
The engine acoustic cover protects the engine and helps provide thermal and acoustic insulation while driving. Lightweight carbon fiber reinforced composite materials demonstrated excellent thermal resistance, noise and vibration absorption, weight saving and durability under high temperatures. These features will make them more attractive to automotive markets.
