Solar Curing of Glass Fibre Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) Composite

The method of curing is very important in producing composites. This project studies
the comparison of mechanical properties of composites in different types of curing. The
objective of this project is to compare the effects of method of curing between direct
solar heating and oven curing on the properties of Glass Fibre Reinforced Epoxy (ORE).
The methods used for fabrication process are hand lay up technique or if circumstances
permit, Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP). Flexural test was conducted on the resin epoxy
and ORE composite. The testing was based on ASTM D790M. The result of this
project; solar cured resin has much difference than oven cured resin in term of flexural
modulus, maximum bending stress at maximum load and also maximum deflection.
Solar cured ORE composite has less difference than oven cured ORE composite. For
ORE composite, all standard deviations for all the properties were overlapping. It means
that there is not much difference between solar cured composite and oven cured
composite. As a conclusion, a curing process using direct solar heating for ORE
composite has the potential to cure resin epoxy, composites and replacing the oven
curing process. For recommendation, FVF, porosity, density of the composite and also
resin epoxy affect shall be isolate to get better result. The degree of cure also shall be
determined by using DSC equipment.