Influences of processing conditions on porosity for the autoclave cure of composites

An experimental program was designed to determine whether or not there exists an optimum time for applying pressures according to the results of rheological and differential scanning calorimetry test. Laminates were cured in autoclave process following the processing conditions designed. Then the cured laminates were inspected by ultrasonic c-scan and areas with uniformed porosity distribution within each plate were trimmed down and used for porosity assessment and mechanical strength test. The experimental results show that there exists an optimum moment for applying autoclave pressure for the studied composite material and an improved cure cycle was finally obtained according to the testing data of interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength.