Analysis of the influence of heat transfer mechanisms on the curing process of thick-walled UAV parts made of polymer composite materials based on epoxy binder

The paper deals with the main technologies and mechanisms used in the curing process of thick-walled parts of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) made of polymer composite materials (PCM) based on epoxy binder. The technological features and characteristics of the curing process are analyzed, and the influence of heat transfer mechanisms on the process kinetics and the final quality of molded parts is investigated. Special attention is paid to the problem of low thermal conductivity of PCM, which leads to temperature inhomogeneity during curing. Various curing methods including convection, infrared (IR) heating and pressing are considered and compared. The advantages of IR heating are revealed, which consist in acceleration of the process and increase of mechanical characteristics of composites. Special emphasis is placed on the statistical validation of the mechanical performance improvements associated with infrared curing. A comparative study of three curing methods – pressing, convection, and infrared (IR) – is conducted with a discussion on energy efficiency, mechanical strength gain, and curing time. The results indicate that IR curing improves tensile strength by 15-20 % over conventional methods, with statistical confidence . The paper offers practical recommendations to ensure uniform heat distribution and optimal curing conditions .