| Contents | 6 |
| 1Introduction to Electron Beam Curing of Composites | 8 |
| 1.1Principles of the Technique | 8 |
| 1.2Chemical Aspects of the Curing Reaction | 9 |
| 1.2.1Free Radical Polymerization | 10 |
| 1.2.2Cationic Polymerization | 11 |
| 1.2.3Network Formation | 13 |
| 1.3Parameters Affecting Electron Beam Curing | 14 |
| 1.3.1Impurities | 14 |
| 1.3.2Irradiation Dose | 15 |
| 1.3.3Initiator Content | 16 |
| 1.3.4Thermal history | 16 |
| 1.3.5Irradiation Energy | 18 |
| 1.4Electron Beam Curing Facilities | 20 |
| 1.5Safety Issues | 22 |
| 2Aspects of Electron Beam Curable Materials | 24 |
| 2.1Initiators | 24 |
| 2.1.1Onium Salt Initiators | 27 |
| 2.1.1.1Iodonium Salt Initiators | 27 |
| 2.1.1.2Sulfonium Salt Initiators | 33 |
| 2.1.1.3Other Onium Salt Initiators and Related Compounds | 41 |
| 2.1.2Metal Complex Initiators | 44 |
| 2.1.2.1Cyclopentadienyl Iron(II) Arene Complex Initiators | 44 |
| 2.1.2.2Silver Alkene Complex Initiators | 46 |
| 2.2Neat Resins | 48 |
| 2.2.1Free Radical Polymerizable Resins | 48 |
| 2.2.2Cationically Polymerizable Resins | 50 |
| 2.3Toughened Resins | 52 |
| 2.3.1Liquid Reactive Rubber | 54 |
| 2.3.2Core-Shell Rubber Particles | 55 |
| 2.3.3Thermoplastics | 63 |
| 2.3.4Block Co-polymers | 74 |
| 2.3.5Inorganic Nanoparticles | 79 |
| 2.3.6Hyperbranched Polymers | 83 |
| 2.4Interfacial Properties Between Fibers and Matrix | 84 |
| 2.4.1Fiber Surface Treatment and Use of Sizings | 85 |
| 2.4.2Processing Conditions | 86 |
| 2.5Residual Stresses | 87 |
| 2.6Effect of Post-Curing | 88 |
| 3Electron Beam Curing Applied to Composite Molding Technologies | 92 |
| 3.1Layer-by-Layer Assembly | 92 |
| 3.2Prepregging | 94 |
| 3.3Vacuum Bagging | 95 |
| 3.4Pultrusion | 96 |
| 3.5Filament Winding | 96 |
| 3.6Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) and Vacuum Assisted RTM (VARTM) | 97 |
| 3.7Lost Core Molding | 98 |
| 4Current Limitations and Potentials for Electron Beam Curing | 100 |
| 4.1Cost Analysis of Electron Beam Curing Processes | 100 |
| 4.2Comparison Between Thermal and Electron Beam Cured Materials in Terms of Properties | 102 |
| 4.3Summary of Potential Applications for Electron Beam Curing | 105 |
| 5Research Trends and Projects in the Field of Electron Beam Curing | 108 |
| 6Examples of Electron Beam Curing Applications | 112 |
| 6.1Automotive | 112 |
| 6.1.1Composite Concept Vehicle, Daimler-Chrysler | 112 |
| 6.1.2Composite Armored Vehicle, US Army | 112 |
| 6.2Aircraft Industry | 114 |
| 6.2.1Patch Repairs for Civil and Military Applications | 114 |
| 6.2.2T-38 Talon, US Air Force | 116 |
| 6.2.3F/A-18 Hornet, Northrop Grumman | 117 |
| 6.3Space Applications | 118 |
| 6.3.1Space Shuttle Venture Star, Lockheed and NASA | 118 |
| 6.3.2Satellite’s Flywheel, AFS Trinity and NASA | 120 |
| 6.3.3Satellite’s Reflector Dish, Acsion and CASA (Spanish space agency) | 121 |
| References | 122 |
| Appendix 1: Key Players in Electron Beam Curing | 130 |
| Appendix 2: List of Commercially Available Materials for Electron Beam Curing | 132 |
| Subject Index | 134 |
