Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2025
14:24
Manufacturing of Three-dimensionally Microstructured Nanocomposites through Microfluidic Infiltration
Published on: March 12, 2014
12.5K
Silica-Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Microelectronic Applications: Effects of Curing Routes
Imran Haider1, Iftikhar Hussain Gul1, Malik Adeel Umer1
1Thermal Transport Laboratory, Department of Materials Engineering, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 11, 2023
Summary
Microwave curing of silica-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites offers superior electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties compared to thermal curing. This advanced method provides enhanced performance with reduced energy consumption and faster processing times.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Composite Materials
Background:
- Traditional thermal curing (TC) of fiber-reinforced composites is energy-intensive and time-consuming.
- Microwave (MC) curing presents a promising alternative for rapid and energy-efficient composite fabrication.
- Fiber-reinforced epoxy composites are crucial for microelectronics applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze the functional characteristics of silica-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites cured by thermal and microwave energy.
- To evaluate the impact of MC versus TC on dielectric, structural, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties.
- To determine the suitability of MC for microelectronic composite applications.
Main Methods:
- Silica fiber fabric/epoxy resin prepregs were cured using both thermal curing (TC) and microwave curing (MC) under controlled conditions.
- Comprehensive characterization included dielectric measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and mechanical testing (tensile and compression).
Main Results:
- MC composites exhibited a lower dielectric constant (1%), lower dielectric loss factor (21.5%), and reduced weight loss (2.6%) compared to TC composites.
- DMA revealed a 20% increase in storage and loss modulus and a 15.5% increase in glass transition temperature (Tg) for MC composites.
- FTIR spectra were similar, but MC composites showed higher tensile (15.4%) and compression strength (4.3%).
Conclusions:
- Microwave-cured silica-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites demonstrate superior electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties over thermally cured counterparts.
- MC offers a faster, more energy-efficient curing process for high-performance composites in microelectronics.
- The enhanced properties and efficiency make MC a viable and advantageous alternative to TC for advanced composite manufacturing.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Curing Methods
107
Concrete members with a small surface-to-volume ratio are cured by oiling and moistening the forms before casting the concrete member. These forms can be left in place for a prolonged period to prevent moisture loss, and can be wetted if made of a material suitable for wetting. If the forms are removed early, the concrete member is moistened and covered with polythene sheets to maintain moisture. For large horizontal concrete surfaces exposed to dry weather, a temporary covering is suspended...
107
01:20Curing of Concrete
136
The hydration of cement takes place within the water-filled capillary pores. However, environmental elements can disrupt this process by evaporating water from the concrete surfaces. Sealed concrete with a water-cement ratio below 0.5 experiences self-desiccation, leading to water loss. The water loss in concrete is mitigated by curing. This technique involves keeping the concrete saturated to maintain the necessary temperature and moisture conditions, to optimally fill the spaces in the cement...
136
01:25Accelerated Curing of Concrete
205
Accelerating concrete curing is achieved by applying heat and additional moisture. This process accelerates the hydration of the cement, resulting in an earlier strength gain in the concrete. Steam curing is a method wherein the concrete products are either transported through a chamber on a conveyor belt or encased in plastic, allowing steam at atmospheric pressure to circulate freely around them. This process begins with a phase of moist curing that typically lasts between 3 to 5 hours, after...
205