EVALUATION OF CURING PROCESS OF POLYMER BY ETFuM Elastic-wave Transfer Function Method

Abstract It is important to monitor the curing processes in polymers, not only to evaluate the strength and durability of the composite material, but also those of the adhesive joint. However, it is still difficult to evaluate the effects of curing conditions on the polymer and adhesive joints other than by destructive means since such materials usually contain ceramic, fiber and/or other fine particles. As a result, it is difficult to apply ordinary ultrasonic testing procedures to the evaluating or monitoring the curing process The Elastic-wave Transfer Function Method (ETFuM) has been developed whereby the input and output elastic waves from a test specimen are compared. This enables only information relating to the transfer function to be detracted In the study, a 304 stainless steel wave guide of 14mm radius was used and polymer container was located between them. The emitting and receiving transducers were mounted on the end surfaces of the guide. An elastic wave in the frequency range of 50 KHz to 2 MHz was then passed through the polymer and the transfer function was measured and analyzed throughout the curing process The relationship between transfer function and curing condition showed good correlation which thereby suggests that the curing process of the adhesive joint.