OPTIMAL PARAMERERS FOR CURING GRAPHITE-EPOXY COMPOSITE LAMINATES

Abstract

The optimal curing parameters of a cure cycle for achieving maximum mechanical properties of Gr/ep composite laminates are determined via a multi-level optimization approach. Laminated composite specimens cured under various pressures, temperatures and times are tested with an Instron testing machine. Test results: are then used in the proposed multi-level optimization method to determine the optimal curing parameters. The effects of the curing parameters on the mechanical properties of the laminates are studied and discussed It was found that a cure cycle with two pressure-temperature-time steps can yield composite laminates with comparatively good material properties.