Abstract
As the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process develops towards its application in mass production, processing time becomes an ever more critical issue. Using the Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) the heat capacity and the thermal conductivity of both the epoxy resin system and of the composite can be calculated by computer assisted evaluation. At the same time, the reaction kinetics (exothermal heat) of the resin system can be calculated during the whole filling and curing process. High mechanical properties at low weight are the result of using continuous fibres for reinforcement and advanced resin systems for the impregnation in RTM techniques. However, RTM- productions are limited by the processing time which in turn is influenced by several parameters, especially by the fibre reinforcement with its permeability, and the kinetics of reaction. The kinetics of flow and reaction are fixed by the formulation of the resin system and by the process parameters. The viscosity should be low during the filling, but the part should be demouldable as soon after the mould has been completely filled as possible. To develop a Rapid Resin Transfer Moulding (RRTM), the permeability of the fibre reinforcement has to be optimised as well as the kinetics of flow and reaction of the resin system, and the processing parameters for the injection and curing process. Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) evaluates reversing and non-reversing thermal transitions/reactions. The heat capacity of the resin system can be examined from the reversing part. The kinetics of exothermal reaction (rate of crosslinking) are represented in the non-reversing part. Arrhenius activation energy and the enthalpy of curing exothermal can be calculated by the computer equipment, which controls the temperature of the sample and the reference while measuring the heat flow. Commercial simulation software packages like LCMFLOT, developed by the Centre de Recherche Appliquee sur les Polymeres (Crasp) in Montreal, predict the filing time and the shape of the flow front in Liquid Composite Moulding (LCM) processes. When the required data of the reaction kinetics are available, a simulation of non-isothermal filing is also possible.
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