C-Tech Innovation; RF curing for rapid and energy efficient moulding of composites

This project addresses a key challenge within the composites sector which is a lack of rapid,
low cost and scalable processes to provide composite components with high mechanical
properties. The key aim is to evaluate Radio Frequency (RF) curing of composites and
demonstrate that this approach can provide a low cost, energy efficient, rapid and scalable
process for production of high quality composite components. RF is a volumetric and uniform
heating mechanism which is expected to be capable of rapidly curing composite parts
including large or thick parts which may be challenging by other methods. Research will also
encompass design and development of tooling for use in the RF system. Tooling will be
developed using low cost RF transparent materials and will incorporate functionality to aid
product surface finish and heating uniformity. This approach is expected to provide tooling at
approx 20% of the cost of current systems. Modelling techniques will be used to develop a
robust tool for rapid and effective design of future tooling systems.
RF curing of composites is both novel and highly innovative. The RF press system to be
developed will combine the pressure capability needed to give effective cure with suitability
for rapid processing. Tooling design is an integral part of this system as, through materials
selection and enhanced functionality, it will ensure both heating uniformity and energy
efficiency. Key outputs of the work will be a RF demonstrator system (including tooling)
which can effectively produce industrially relevant composite components for evaluation. The
significant reductions in energy usage and processing time expected to be achieved with this
technology should make it highly desirable to composites manufacturers who stand to derive
significant cost savings by technology adoption.