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In-process monitoring of cure degree by coplanar plate sensors

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Abstract

The production process of fiber-reinforced plastic parts must be controlled through sophisticated instruments to warrant high quality standards. The cure degree of matrix, which is representative of the product quality, is in general evaluated by an indirect method, measuring the temperature inside the laminate, or by a direct method, evaluating the dielectric behavior of matrix. The aim of this work was to value the possibility to measure the cure degree of laminates by dielectric coplanar plates substituting a traditional parallel plate sensor that are sensitive to laminate compaction during cure. FEM simulations were executed to develop the sensor, and then some experimental tests were carried out to verify the suitability of the designed sensor to measure the degree of cure in a laminate. The cure degree trend evaluated through the developed sensor was compared with that one noticed through a cure process simulation and with that one measured by a parallel plate sensor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via G. Di Biasio, 43, 03043, Cassino (Frosinone), Italy

    Luca Sorrentino & Costanzo Bellini

Authors
  1. Luca Sorrentino
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  2. Costanzo Bellini
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Correspondence to Costanzo Bellini.

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Sorrentino, L., Bellini, C. In-process monitoring of cure degree by coplanar plate sensors. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 86, 2851–2859 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-016-8338-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-016-8338-5

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