Electromagnetic field propagation in a composite laminate and induced thermal field: Application to microwave composites processing

Abstract

Microwave (MW) technology relies on volumetric heating, where thermal energy is induced from an electromagnetic field. Nowadays, the main drawback of this technology is that the complex physics involved in the conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy is not entirely understood and controlled. The main objective of this work is to model, simulate and validate the interactions of microwaves with a composite laminate consisting of a stack of unidirectional layers composed of a resin matrix and carbon fibers, to predict its heating. Once validated, this simulation tool will serve to predict, control and optimize composites forming processes.