To explore the application universality and prospect of carbon nanotube film (CNTF) in curing of resin-matrix composites via resistance heating, CCF800H/EC120A carbon fiber reinforced resin matrix composites were treated by CNTF electric heating cure. To optimize the electrothermal curing process, effects of electricthermal cure processes assisted with vacuum and with press mould on internal quality, glass transition temperature, mechanical properties and microstructure of composites were compared, thus identifying the roles of vacuum degree and external pressure in the electrothermal curing process. The results show that the CNTF can achieve rapid and uniform heating. Compared with press-moulded composite laminates cured by CNTF, composite laminates cured by CNTF within vacuum sealed bag own better internal quality, higher Tg and higher mechanical property, indicating that during the cure process of such prepreg, vacuum degree plays a more significant role than the external pressure in controlling internal quality and performance of obtained laminates. Bending strength of laminates cured by CNTF within vacuum sealed bag maintains at 90% of that cured by traditional oven cure，bending moduli of both cure methods are similar and laminar shear properties also show minor differences.

carbon nanotube film  /  resistance heating cure  /  vacuum-bag-only consolidation  /  compression moulding  /  resin matrix composites