Induction heating is a technology that uses an alternating electromagnetic field to heat ferromagnetic and conductive materials and has been adapted to polymeric materials and composites in the past decade. It is well-suited for specialty metal applications involving titanium, precious metals, and advanced composites. Induction heating can be precisely controlled through the thickness of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. The hot bonder is a solution that uses induction heating to apply a repair patch to a composite part or cure a part during manufacture.
Induction heating can achieve rapid internal heating of the carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite (CFRP) materials, to achieve its low energy consumption and efficient curing molding. However, the CFRP structure, heat transfer anisotropy, and the electromagnetic-eddy current coupling during heating directly affect the curing temperature of the composite material’s field distribution and its forming quality. Therefore, it is important to study the mechanism of induction heating of CFRP and the coupling and distribution rules of the electro-magnetic-eddy current field during induction heating.
Induction Brazing of Composite Materials
Induction heating can also be used for the joining of composite materials, by simultaneously heating the interface region between two pieces of composite material with an induction coil placed adjacent to the bonding region, and forcing the composite material at the interface together while heating. This method can avoid foreign material left at the bond line and improve joint strength. TWI has recently invented a new way for improving the control of induction welding thermoplastic composites without additional susceptors, by inserting a thin electrically-insulating layer (gauze) between adjacent layers containing nonaligned carbon fibers.
Induction heating of composite materials is a novel and promising technology that can offer many advantages over conventional methods, such as faster processing, lower energy consumption, better quality control, and reduced environmental impact. However, it also poses some challenges and requires further research and development to optimize the process parameters, understand the material behavior, and ensure reliable and consistent performance.