Electron-beam [E-Beam) curing of an epoxy polymer matrix and its composite [reinforced with IM7 Carbon fibers) was studied using a cationic photoinitiator. Photoinitiator concentration, dose, and process temperature were varied to understand their influence on E-beam curing. Optimal photoinitiator concentration was found to be 5 phr. The curing was due to a primary CY reaction with a strong dependence on dose, and a secondary p reaction with a weak dependence on dose and a strong dependence on initiator concentration. The extent of cure increased rapidly with dose until 100 kGy and it approached a plateau value beyond 100 kGy. This plateau value corresponded to incomplete curing by 27% for resin and 22% for composite at a process-temperature of 22°C. The causes for incomplete curing appear to be the secondary p reaction and diffusional limitation. Increase in process temperature resulted in higher extent of cure at a dose level. The material used in this study was also found to be thermally curable and the reaction onset temperature (measured in a DSC ramp experiment] reduced from about 150°C at 0 kGy to about 50°C at 30 kGy. This indicates that simultaneous thermal curing during Ebeam curing of resin and composite is possible. After thermal post-curing, the Tg of the E-beam cured resin increased from 130°C at 200 kGy to a value greater than 370°C and the modulus decreased by 10%. The service temperature and the modulus of the 100Y0 thermally cured resin and the thermally post-cured (after E-Beam irradiation] resin were comparable.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.