Industrial Composite Curing with the 2.45 Ghz Hephaistos System

The HEPHAISTOS system integrates advantageously the basic processing steps as tooling, tempering of the resin and lay up, the impregnation of the fibers, pre-forming techniques as well as finally the process curing of the composite structures. Composites for aerospace applications in prepreg and wet technology have been successfully fabricated and investigated for quality and certification issues. Features of the system, as well results on the material investigations are presented. The use of microwaves shows new approaches on the process interaction for the fiber materials, precursors, resin systems, lay-up preparation etc. with direct consequences on the adjustable material properties. The highest potential for cost reduction for CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastics) is to be found on the manufacturing process which implies substantial long time and high energy consumption, as well as a low degree of automation. The situation for the developing industrial CFRP processing business has to be carefully considered in view of its realistic market impact, e.g. by analyzing future manufacturing options as well as the weight savings for aircraft fuselage structures. The obtained studies show clearly the need to focus on the single process steps to optimize for future industrial CFRP production. For increasing the penetration of composites on the market, technological progress on several issues is essential. In conclusion, novel autoclave-free systems with innovative microwave heating techniques for CFRP processing are under special consideration of industrial oven system manufacturers and end users.