Curing of composite components by ultraviolet radiation: A review

Curing of polymer matrices by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can be applied to a variety of processes in the production of composite components, as long as the component can be directly irradiated. Wet lay-up techniques, vacuum infusion type processes with UV-transparent membranes, filament winding, and prepreg processes have been adapted to UV curing. Unlike in thermal curing, the curing time is in the order of magnitude of minutes rather than hours, which means a significant reduction in cycle time. The radiation can be generated by a variety of sources suitable for various specific applications and different curing strategies. The most frequently used radiation sources are mercury arc lamps. Because of the absorption of radiation passing through matter, the thickness of laminates for efficient application of UV curing is limited. The curing mechanism is either radical polymerization for acrylate-based resins or cationic polymerization for epoxies and vinyl ethers. The properties of the UV-cured polymer matrix are determined by the cross-linking density. This depends on the type and concentration of the photoinitiator and of the (optional) diluents, the intensity and the duration of the irradiation, and the temperature at which the curing process takes place. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:119–128, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.

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