Fiber optic polymer cure sensor

Author

Afromowitz, Martin A.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Washington Univ., Seattle, WA, USA

Volume

6

Issue

10

fYear

1988

fDate

10/1/1988 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1591

Lastpage

1594

Abstract

An in situ method is presented for monitoring the curing of polymeric compositions, including epoxy- and polymide-based composites. The sensor measures the difference between the refractive index of the cured and uncured composition, with the index increasing as polymerization proceeds. The method differs from all existing methods in that it relies on a self-referential differential measurement rather than on an absolute measurement, the sensor is totally independent of curing conditions and is sensitive to the extent of cure even at the latest stages. It can be used within the body of large composite structures undergoing curing in an autoclave, and it can indicate the end of cure without calibration of any kind

Keywords

chemical variables measurement; fibre optic sensors; polymerisation; polymers; refractive index; autoclave; calibration; epoxy-based composites; fibre optic sensor; polymer curing; polymeric compositions; polymerization; polymide-based composites; refractive index; self-referential differential measurement; Absorption; Curing; Dielectric loss measurement; Dielectric materials; Fluorescence; Monitoring; Optical fiber sensors; Optical fibers; Optical sensors; Polymers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.7920

Filename

7920