Multivariate process trajectories for molecular description of MF thermal curing and correlation with hydrolytic stability

Stephanie Weiss,Regina Seidl,Edith M Zikulnig‐Rusch,Rudolf W Kessler,Waltraud Kessler,Andreas Kandelbauer

doi:10.1002/app.50635

Stephanie Weiss, Regina Seidl + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1002/app.50635

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Abstract

AbstractDuring curing of thermosetting resins the technologically relevant properties of binders and coatings develop. However, curing is difficult to monitor due to the multitude of chemical and physical processes taking place. Precise prediction of specific technological properties based on molecular properties is very difficult. In this study, the potential of principal component analysis (PCA) and principal component regression (PCR) in the analysis of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra is demonstrated using the example of melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resin curing in solid state. FTIR/PCA‐based reaction trajectories are used to visualize the influence of temperature on isothermal cure. An FTIR/PCR model for predicting the hydrolysis resistance of cured MF resin from their spectral fingerprints is presented which illustrates the advantages of FTIR/PCR compared to the combination differential scanning calorimetry/isoconversional kinetic analysis. The presented methodology is transferable to the curing reactions of any thermosetting resin and can be applied to model other technologically relevant final properties as well.

Highlights

Industrial processes and manufacturing are currently subject to considerable change to meet future demands due to increasing competition, globalization, cost pressure, quality assurance, and mass customization of the final products
The process analytical technology (PAT) and quality by design (QbD) platform of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the initiative for the fourth industrial revolution “Industry 4.0” in Germany as well as the US Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have raised the awareness that process understanding, knowledge-based production and the development of process control strategies is of great importance to assure quality control, product safety, and production efficiency.[2,3,4]
The aim of the study is to apply concepts of PAT to improve the understanding of the curing reaction of MF resins to monitor, support and control production processes in the future

Summary

Introduction

Industrial processes and manufacturing are currently subject to considerable change to meet future demands due to increasing competition, globalization, cost pressure, quality assurance, and mass customization of the final products. Manufacturers need to meet increasingly demanding quality requirements of pre-pregs and final products. The process parameters during production have to be optimized.[1] The process analytical technology (PAT) and quality by design (QbD) platform of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the initiative for the fourth industrial revolution “Industry 4.0” in Germany as well as the US Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have raised the awareness that process understanding, knowledge-based production and the development of process control strategies is of great importance to assure quality control, product safety, and production efficiency.[2,3,4] In this context, intelligent production and process understanding on a molecular and mechanistic level is a key issue.[4]. To address the processing of thermosetting materials with PAT strategies on a molecular level throughout the various production steps is very demanding.

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