Ultrasonic treatment of advanced thermoset composites

This paper reviews experimental work on ultrasonic treatment of advanced thermoset composites. It has been proposed that treating these composites with high power ultrasonics (∼10-50 W) may cause a decrease in void content without adverse effects, such as premature partial curing or a degradation of mechanical properties. Samples of advanced composites were treated with ultrasonic energy at various travel speeds, amplitudes, force, orientations of the horn to the surface and number of pregregs plies treated at once. Significant heating was observed but there was no evidence that the treatment had any adverse effects. It was seen that the treatment reduced the overall thickness of the samples, implying that the void content was decreased. In addition, there was evidence that ultrasonic treatment slightly increased the stiffness and short beam shear strength of the samples.