Apparatus and method for measuring properties of polymer

An apparatus for measuring properties of a thermosetting polymer, the apparatus comprising:

• a body comprising a chamber configured to receive the thermosetting polymer;
• a sensor unit within the chamber and comprising an FBG sensor, a temperature sensor, and a dielectric constant sensor;
• and
• at least one processor in communication with the FBG sensor, the temperature sensor, and the dielectric constant sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate wavelength data representing changes in a wavelength of light, caused by solidification of the thermosetting polymer, using raw wavelength data from the FBG sensor and calibration data from the temperature sensor, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure properties of the thermosetting polymer using the generated wavelength data during a time period after an estimated gel point for the thermosetting polymer.

A method for measuring properties of a thermosetting polymer, the method comprising:

• applying heat to the thermosetting polymer to cause the thermosetting polymer to solidify;
• obtaining raw wavelength data from a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor in contact with the thermosetting polymer;
• obtaining calibration data from a temperature sensor in contact with the thermosetting polymer;
• processing the raw wavelength data and the calibration data via at least one processor to determine effective wavelength data;
• measuring a loss coefficient of the thermosetting polymer using a dielectric constant sensor in contact with the thermosetting polymer;
• and
• processing the effective wavelength data and the loss coefficient to determine properties of the thermosetting polymer via the at least one processor.