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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Processing instrumentation technology: Process definition with a cognitive computer

Conference ·
OSTI ID:392412
 [1]
  1. Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA (United States). Mechanical and Materials Engineering Dept.

Much of the polymer composites industry is built around the thermochemical conversion of raw material into useful composites. The raw materials (molding compound, prepreg) often are made up of thermosetting resins and small fibers or particles. While this conversion can follow a large number of paths, only a few paths are efficient, economical and lead to desirable composite properties. Processing instrument (P/I) technology enables a computer to sense and interpret changes taking place during the cure of prepreg or molding compound. P/I technology has been used to make estimates of gel time and cure time, thermal diffusivity measurements and transition temperature measurements. Control and sensing software is comparatively straightforward. The interpretation of results with appropriate software is under development.

OSTI ID:
392412
Report Number(s):
CONF-9602107--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English