ABSTRACT
Processing of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) involves a combination of complex fluid flow and thermomechanical phenomena that determines the quality of the composite part and, ultimately, its mechanical properties and structural performance. The quality of PMC parts can be improved by the proper selection of materials and processing parameters that influence fluid flow and thermomechanical phenomena during their processing. This chapter considers these parameters and examines their influence on the processing, process-induced defects, and postprocessing characteristics of both thermoset and thermoplastic matrix composites. The degree of cure is a measure of the conversion from uncured to cured state. It is defined as the ratio of cross-links formed at any given time to the maximum number of cross-links that can form at the selected cure temperature. The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to flow under shear stresses. The two most important factors determining the viscosity of a fluid are the temperature and shear rate.
