Diffusion-controlled cure kinetics of high performance epoxy/carbon fiber composite systems

Using a commercial epoxy/carbon fiber composite prepreg (DMS 2224) as a model system, the cure kinetics of vitrifying thermoset system were analyzed by isothermal and dynamic-heating experiments. Focusing on the processing condition of high performance composite systems, a phenomenological kinetic model was developed by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and reaction kinetics theories. The model system exhibited a limited degree of cure as a function of isothermal temperature seemingly due to the diffusion-controlled reaction rates. The diffusion-controlled cure reaction was incorporated in the development of the kinetic model, and the model parameters were determined from isothermal experiments. The first order reaction was confirmed from the characteristic shape of isothermal cure thermograms, and the activation energy was 78.43 kJ/mol. Finally, the proposed model was used to predict a complex autoclave thermal condition, which was composed of several isothermal and dynamic-heating stages.