Use of microwave energy to aid in altering the shape and in post-production processing of fiber-reinforced composites

摘要

A method for preparing a fiber-reinforced composite that has a surprisingly high absorption of microwave energy and subjecting the composite to microwave energy to sufficiently depolymerize the matrix material of the composite to selectively alter the shape of the article. The composite has an absorption of microwaves that is between about 2 and about 20 times greater than that of conventional composites. Articles made from the composite may be efficiently and uniformly heated in desired areas to permit the operation of many diverse manufacturing steps heretofore not practicable or feasible.