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The need for structures with load-path-compatible geometry of high complexity, which can be produced in a short time and under simple process conditions, is evident in many industries for high-performance components. The production principle of UV curing of fibre-reinforced plastic composites (FRP) is theoretically capable of meeting the aforementioned requirements in combination with the highest degrees of lightweight construction. UV-assisted curing of thermosetting plastics is made possible by the addition of a photoinitiator that is tuned to the desired wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum (100 - 380 nm). This eliminates the need to mix the resin with a hardener component and enables polymer crosslinking in a few seconds when the material is irradiated.
Phenomenology and initial model approaches were developed to describe the stationary wave propagation in the fibre composite medium and the associated curing kinetics. This was supplemented by the identification of suitable measurement technology in order to be able to reliably characterise the effects of parameter variations. In parallel, UV curing was prototypically implemented for the pultrusion and 3D printing processes and manufacturing studies were carried out to determine the process-structure-property relationships.