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Induction-Heating Cured Epoxy Adhesives
Synopsis
The epoxy glues introduce one-pot adhesive with colloidal stability for "magnetocuring" via alternating magnetic fields. Infused with dispersed Curie nanoparticles, these epoxy adhesives facilitate swift and controlled heating, making them perfect for composite repairs. They not only cut down on energy expenditures but also ensure consistency across applications.
Opportunity
Global industries are shifting towards the use of lightweight and high-strength composites due to a desire to improve performance and energy efficiency, and to reduce costs and environmental impact. However, most composites are based on thermoset/fibre prepregs, which constitute a future landfill hazard at a current production rate of 4 Mkg/yr.
To that end, our invention relates to one-pot adhesives with colloidal stability designed to allow non-contact ‘magnetocuring’ through exposure to alternating magnetic fields.
This is a form of “on-demand activate-able epoxy adhesive” by using magneto-activated adhesive systems that can be activated or modified by a magnetic field comprising an adhesive and well-dispersed Curie nanoparticles.
The advantage of this invention includes better heat dispersion, thereby minimising heat spots or heat sinks, and permitting more uniformity of thermal cure in induction field for composite repair application.
Technology
Our approach of curing is remotely controlled, entails rapid and localised heating, resulting in reduced processing cost and energy consumption. This is achieved by applying a lower frequency of 400 kHz and magnetic field strength of 50-140 Oersted (Oe) at maximum. With this approach, the activation temperature for adhesive curing is reached within 5 minutes under alternating magnetic fields (AMF), initiating material curing within 10 minutes. This direct energy technique enables precise spatial and temporal induction of commodity plastics, rendering it highly suitable for a variety of industries. It offers the following desirable characteristics:
Adhesives that cure and bond under alternating magnetic field (AMF).
Bond various heat-sensitive substrates
Single part induced to multiple temperatures
Adhesion strength comparable to oven-cured resins.
Figure 1: Magnetocuring of epoxy adhesives using alternating magnetic field.
Applications & Advantages
Higher impact strength with greater fatigue resistance.
Weight savings of 40% over steel and 20% over aluminium.
Accelerated multi-layer processing; prepreg requires only heat, shaping, and cooling for final part formation.
Eliminates the need for autoclaves, projecting energy savings of over 5 times less electricity.
Environmentally acceptable with economic incentives for recycling.
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