Composite curing with high energy electron beams: Novel materials and processes

Curing of fiber-reinforced polymer composites using high energy electron beams (HEEB) offers significant advantages for fabricating a variety of aerospace and ground vehicle components. The HEEB curing process greatly reduces the time required to cross-link the polymer matrix compared to conventional heat curing. The process allows curing at room temperature for high throughput and reduced residual stresses for good part fit-up. Science Research Laboratory (SRL) has developed materials, processes and electron accelerator technology for high energy electron beam curing of advanced composites. One fabrication process under development has significant processing and material property advantages. In this process, the composite is a handleable solid at B-stage during curing. A novel resin system appropriate for this process is described. The resin system exhibits very low cure shrinkage, reducing residual stresses, and good thermal and mechanical properties.