SAMPE Journal - January/February 2022 - 30

FEATURE / RAPID CURING EPOXY
conditions employed in this work further validates
the potential of the novel, fast curing epoxy system
to form a strong interface with the glass fiber
reinforcements during the rapid HP-RTM process
conditions.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
In this work, a novel fast curing epoxy system
was developed to achieve a balance of processing
ease and rapid cure at nominal processing
temperatures. Rheology studies of the formulation
helped identify the processing temperature range
of 60-70°C, which would offer sufficient time for
injection of resin impregnation. Rapid build of
viscosity at temperatures at temperatures above
100°C, demonstrated the potential to achieve
rapid cure either at or beyond those temperatures.
The potential to achieve rapid cure with this
epoxy formulation was identified through model
predictions based on the isoconversion approach
for
cure temperatures
from 100-115°C. The
model predictions were further validated through
characterization of the degree of cure glass fiber
reinforced panels produced by HP-RTM. The
results demonstrated that the panels cured with
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the novel epoxy system achieved 95% cure within 4
minutes of cure at 115°C, which represents a rapid
progression for that temperature range. Panels
produced at various temperatures from 100-115°C
for short durations of 4-6 minutes were found
to exhibit levels of cure that ranged from 87% to
95%. A rigorous statistical evaluation of the tensile,
flex, and short beam shear strength of the panels
produced under various processing conditions
demonstrated no impact of these nominal cure
level variations. The consistency of the mechanical
properties and the short beam shear strength
demonstrates the ability of the resin
to form a
strong interface with the glass fiber reinforcements,
while attaining rapid cure.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge analytical
and sample preparation support provided by Sonja
Higgins, Keisha Wells, and Keith Jones (Olin Epoxy,
R&D).
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30 | SAMPE JOURNAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
www. sampe.org

http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/hp-rtm-on-the-rise http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/hp-rtm-on-the-rise https://www.materialstoday.com/compositeapplications/features/lightweightautomotive-design-with-hp-rtm/ https://www.materialstoday.com/compositeapplications/features/lightweightautomotive-design-with-hp-rtm/ https://www.materialstoday.com/compositeapplications/features/lightweightautomotive-design-with-hp-rtm/ http://www.siltech.com http://www.sampe.org

SAMPE Journal - January/February 2022

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