Abstract
This study presents two novel methods for in situ characterization of the reaction-diffusion process during the co-curing of a polyetherimide thermoplastic interlayer with an epoxy-amine thermoset. The first method was based on hot stage experiments using a computer vision point tracker algorithm to detect and trace diffusion fronts, and the second method used space- and time-resolved Raman spectroscopy. Both approaches provided essential information, e.g., type of transport phenomena and diffusion rate. They can also be combined and serve to elucidate phenomena occurring during diffusion up to phase separation of the gradient interphase between the epoxy system and the thermoplastic. Accordingly, it was possible to distinguish reaction-diffusion mechanisms, describe the diffusivity of the present system and evaluate the usability of the above-mentioned methods.
Highlights
In aerospace, fiber-reinforced composite materials are increasingly used due to their potential of significantly reducing weight and improving mechanical performance
Monocomponent diffusion experiments showed that the amine precursor, which
Characteristic band intensity peaks in the Raman spectrum were used to evaluate the relative change in intensity with respective to concentration over time
Summary
Fiber-reinforced composite materials are increasingly used due to their potential of significantly reducing weight and improving mechanical performance. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) based on thermosetting epoxy matrix systems exhibit exceptional strength and stiffness at a low weight and find increasing success in large aircraft structures. Such components are cured in an autoclave at high pressure and temperature to achieve high quality and reproducibility. Beyond their processing advantages, highly cross-linked thermosets tend to be brittle with low resistance to crack initiation and growth [4,5]. Thermoplastic welding allows fast processing speeds without significant surface preparation efforts, resulting in strong and dependable mechanical performance [11,12,13]
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