Characterization and modeling cure- and pressure-dependent thermo-mechanical and shrinkage behavior of fast curing epoxy resins

Polymer Testing, vol. 108, pp. 107498

Abstract

A fast crosslinking reaction is crucial for the economical production of automotive components in liquid composite molding (LCM) processes. Although a large number of works have focused on modeling of shrinkage induced surface waviness and part distortions and the underlying phenomena an accurate determination of material properties under consideration of processing parameters still represents a major challenge for fast-curing epoxy resins. Fast-curing epoxy polymers allow manufacturing of thermoset composite parts in minutes while entailing a highly exothermic heat generation. Cure is carried out under elevated temperatures and pressures and is accompanied by a change in density due to chemical shrinkage and followed by thermal contraction. In the present study, comprehensive results on the characterization of thermo-mechanical properties, pressure dependent reaction kinetics and shrinkage are presented for a fast curing epoxy resin. The obtained results give important advice for improved process modeling and facilitate prioritisation for future characterisation of fast-curing epoxy resins.

Authors 8

1. Niklas Lorenz corresponding Aachen Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Plastics Processing, RWTH Aachen, Seffenter Weg 201, 52074, Aachen, Germany

2. M. Müller corresponding

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology, TU Dresden, Holbeinstraße 3, 01307, Dresden, Germany

3. Johannes Gerritzen

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology, TU Dresden, Holbeinstraße 3, 01307, Dresden, Germany

4. Jonas Müller Aachen Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Plastics Processing, RWTH Aachen, Seffenter Weg 201, 52074, Aachen, Germany

5. Benjamin Gröger

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology, TU Dresden, Holbeinstraße 3, 01307, Dresden, Germany

6. Kai Fischer Aachen Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Plastics Processing, RWTH Aachen, Seffenter Weg 201, 52074, Aachen, Germany

7. Μaik Gude

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology, TU Dresden, Holbeinstraße 3, 01307, Dresden, Germany

8. Christian Hopmann Aachen Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Plastics Processing, RWTH Aachen, Seffenter Weg 201, 52074, Aachen, Germany