| Abstract: | This article reports on the design and development of two fiber optic sensing systems that facilitate the cure monitoring of an epoxy/amine thermoset in a microwave oven. First, the design, construction, and evaluation of a fiber optic probe were necessary so that noncontact diffuse reflectance spectra could be obtained during the curing of the resin in a microwave oven. Second, a low‐cost, disposable fiber optic temperature sensor had to be developed for use in the microwave oven because the use of conventional metal‐based thermocouples was not possible. The deployment of the two sensor systems was demonstrated successfully. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3868–3873, 2003 |
