ISSN: 0884-6804
CODEN: JCTRER
Page Count: 6

Characterizing Matrix Resin Flow in Carbon Fiber Prepreg
Motiee, B
Chemist, senior chemical assistant, and research associate, Hercules Aerospace, UT

Boll, DJ
Chemist, senior chemical assistant, and research associate, Hercules Aerospace, UT

Bascom, WD
Chemist, senior chemical assistant, and research associate, Hercules Aerospace, UT

Abstract

A study was made of a tetraglycidylmethylene dianiline (TGMDA) matrix prepreg and a diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) matrix prepreg with various carbon fibers using parallel plate dynamic mechanical spectroscopy (DMS). The matrix resins were also tested. The neat resin DMS indicates large changes in resin viscosity during cure that are not reflected in the corresponding prepreg spectra. Thus, the local flow of resin between fiber tows and plys, which is critically important to the compaction and consolidation of prepreg during vacuum bag/autoclave curing, cannot be characterized from prepreg samples with the type of rheometer now in wide use in the continuous fiber composite industry.

Keywords:
polymers, matrix composites, fiber composites, fiber tows, prepreg plys

Paper ID: CTR10321J
DOI: 10.1520/CTR10321J
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