Effect of Curing Rate on the Microstructure and Macroscopic Properties of Epoxy Fiberglass Composites.

ABSTRACT: Curing rates of an epoxy amine system were varied via different curing cycles, and glass-fiber epoxy composites were prepared using the same protocol, with the aim of investigating the correlation between microstructure and composite properties. It was found that the fast curing cycle resulted in a non-homogenous network, with a larger percentage of a softer phase. Homogenized composite properties, namely storage modulus and quasi-static intra-laminar shear strength, remained unaffected by the change in resin microstructure. However, fatigue tests revealed a significant reduction in fatigue life for composites cured at fast curing rates, while composites with curing cycles that allowed a pre-cure until the critical gel point, were unaffected by the rate of reaction. This result was explain

SUBMITTER: Patel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6415024 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature