This study proposed an effective and sustainable technique for the curing of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) using microwaves. The method involves applying a metallic resonance coating layer to envelop the CFRP composite’s surface. Next, the composite is positioned within a multi-mode cavity, which is used as an applicator, and is powered by four 250 W solid-state power amplifiers. To ensure precise control over the heating pattern and achieve uniform heating of the composite, a sophisticated control algorithm is developed. This algorithm can independently regulate the phase, power level, and frequency of each power amplifier. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of this proposed approach in achieving precise control over the microwave-based curing process for CFRPs.

Adhesive bonding/joining through microwave radiation curing has been evaluated as an alternative processing technology. This technique significantly reduces the required curing time for the adhesive while maintaining equivalent physical characteristics as the adhesive material is polymerized (crosslinked). This results in an improvement in the economics of the process. Testing of samples cured via microwave radiation for evaluation of mechanical properties indicated that the obtained values from the single lap-shear test are in the range of the conventionally cured samples. In general, the ultimate tensile strength, OB, for the microwave processed samples subjected to this single lap-shear test was slightly higher than for conventionally cured samples. This technology shows promise for being applicable to a wide range of high volume, consumer goods industries, where plastics and polymer composites will be processed.