Effect of curing condition on bonding quality of scarf-repaired composite laminates

Both single-face vacuum bag curing (SVC) and double-face vacuum bag curing (DVC) can be used in scarf repair of composite structures. But different curing conditions caused by the sealing state may affect the bonding quality of scarf-repaired structures. In this paper, the effect of curing condition on bonding quality of scarf-repaired laminates was experimentally investigated in terms of surface profiles, moisture absorption curves and section profiles. In order to further explore the moisture absorption mechanism, finite element model of the repaired laminates using DVC was established with moisture diffusion of both the adhesive and composite laminates considered. This model was verified by experimental results. Based on the model of DVC case, the model of SVC case was built by changing moisture absorption parameters of the adhesive. Results show that SVC reduces the bonding quality, mainly reflecting in more adhesive inner voids and patch-to-parent dislocation. And SVC increases moisture absorption rate and moisture equilibrium content of the adhesive, and its effect on the former is far greater than that on the latter.