A study of the practicality and performance of CFRP applications using post-curing at moderately elevated temperatures

The application of post-curing influences the final structure of the adhesive by extending the curing reaction of the epoxy to help it reach its full physical characteristics, such as ultimate cross-link density and Tg. This study explores the practical means of post-curing CFRP/concrete systems at moderately elevated temperatures, namely at 60 °C, using bonding adhesive under specific operating conditions. Adhesive samples and CFRP/concrete specimens were subjected to a post-curing regime at 60 °C after different periods of ambient temperature curing (3 h, 6 h and 72 h). The outcomes from this work will provide guidelines for post-curing applications for outdoor structures in an attempt to find practical methods to improve the bonding capacity of CFRP/concrete systems under more extreme environmental conditions.