Title: Smart Susceptor Technology for Composites

Authors: William C. Dykstra, Luke A. Martin

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/c.22.0154

Abstract: The Smart Susceptor technology began with tooling designed for rapid cycle automotive manufacturing before progressing to flexible heating applications within the aerospace industry. The driving factor behind the technology development is the demand of greater temperature uniformity and higher production rates. The Smart Susceptor technology meets these demands through its adaptive temperature leveling and ability to stop heating at a temperature regardless of power input. This paper provides further insight into the Smart Susceptor technology starting with an overview of what a Smart Susceptor is and how it works before progressing into applications for composites. Specific applications include heat blanket systems for co-bonding at 350°F and debulking at 170°F and hard tooling for processing layups and compression molding of thermoplastics with ramp-up and cool-down rates as high as 400°F per minute with no temperature overshoot.
Smart Susceptor heating blankets are very controllable and have a accurate temperature range of +/- 6 deg F. in addition, over lapping blankets or overhanging blankets off of a part do not have much of an effect as to the blankets processing temperature, due to the intrinsic nature of smart susceptor blankets and their construction.
Smart Susceptor matched metal tools are very fast to heat, and have a consistent leveling temperature.
You will learn how smart susceptors work, why the temperature results are so accurate, and the next steps for this amazing technology.

References: 1. Induction Consolidation/Molding of Thermoplastic Composites Using Smart Susceptors. DE-FG36-08GO18135 ed., Department of Energy, 2012. 2. Energy Efficient Thermoplastic Composite Manufacturing. DE-EE0005780 ed., Department of Energy, 2020. 3. ""Working Smart."" Boeing Frontiers, 2019

Conference: CAMX 2022

Publication Date: 2022/10/17

SKU: TP22-0000000154

Pages: 13

Price: $26.00