Development of a Cure/Postcure Cycle for PETI-330 Laminates Fabricated by Resin Transfer Molding

• DOI: 10.1177/0954008306069393
• Publication Date: 2006-10-24T14:15:56Z
• Authors: Stewart Bain; Hideki Ozawa; Jim M. Criss
• Keywords: Transfer molding; Isothermal process; Molding (decorative)

As part of our product development effort for PETI-330, an investigation to determine the effect a thermal cure cycle and postcure treatment on laminate properties was conducted. Laminates PETI-330/T650-35 carbon fabric (un-sized) were fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM) using high temperature injector. The degassed at 525-550 °F (274-288 °C) subsequently injected into Invar tool cured 1 h 700 °F(371 °C). laminates characterized quality ultrasonic inspection acid digestion, dry glass transition temperatures (Tg values) determined dynamic mechanical analysis (DMTA). Specimens (7.6 cm × 7.6 cm) machined from panels free-standing postcures performed 600 °F(316 °C), 625 (329 675 (357 6 12 each in flowing air atmosphere. postcured specimens weight loss, wet Tg values. approximately 6.4 isothermal aging 100 650 °F(343 After aging, aged micro-cracking optical microscopy. results this study are presented. Based these results, conditions that gave best combination identified.