Impact strength of vinyl ester composites cured by microwave irradiation: Preliminary results

Abstract The shrinkage of vinyl ester particulate composites has been reduced by curing the resins under microwave conditions. The reduction in the shrinkage of the resins by microwaves will enable the manufacture of large vinyl ester composite items possible. This project is to investigate the difference in impact strength between microwave cured vinyl ester particulate composites and those cured under ambient conditions. Drop weight impact tests will be used to achieve the aim of the project. The results show that the difference in the impact strength is minimal.

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