Abstract:Based on the thermal conduct law and curing kinetics theory, a three-dimensional finite element
model of thermosetting resin matrix composite was developed during the curing process, the reliability of the developed
model is verified by comparing with the experimental results in literature. Based on the model, temperature and curing
degree fields of the scarf repaired AS4/3501 composite laminate were calculated during the curing process, effect of
curing temperature and heating rate on temperature and curing degree fields of the patch is analyzed. The results indi
cate that the effect is very small during the initial stage of curing reaction; the effect increase with the curing time;
however, the effect decrease with curing time during the initial stage of the second heating stage; the temperature and
curing degree of composite patch do not change with heating rate during the final stage of constant temperature period.
