Comparison of Microwave and Thermal Oven Curing of Carbon Fibre – Epoxy Tape Segments

Abstract

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used in structural applications due to their high specific stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio. However, high-throughput processing of CFRP prepreg tapes and similar products remains a challenge due to slow convective and conductive heat transfer during conventional curing, resulting in extended processing times and thermal gradients. Microwave processing offers volumetric heating using electromagnetic energy in conjunction with carbon fibre (CF) reinforcements, which has been reported to reduce cycle times and energy consumption in composite manufacturing. Its effectiveness is governed by electromagnetic field-material interactions and resin curing kinetics. This study investigates the feasibility of microwave-assisted curing of CF-epoxy tape. A comparative experimental framework was implemented against conventionally oven-cured specimens. The characterization includes quasi-in-situ infrared thermography for transient temperature field analysis, differential scanning calorimetry for assessing the degree of cure, scanning electron microscopy for inspecting microstructural features and fibre–matrix interaction, and ASTM D790 three-point bending tests for flexural response. The results indicate that microwave irradiation is associated with volumetric

heating and accelerated cure progression in CF-epoxy tape systems. Mechanical testing reveals a processing-dependent flexural response, consistent with observed differences in microstructural development between curing routes. From this investigation, conclusions are drawn regarding the

efficacy of microwave heating for the rapid fabrication of CF-epoxy tape products. 

Keywords

Microwave curing; carbon fibre reinforced thermoset polymer composites; oven curing; interfacial bonding; flexural response.