Title: EFFECT OF CURE ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MTM 45-1 MATRIX COMPOSITE

Authors: Scott Nesbitt, Hannes Koerber, Anoush Poursartip, Casey J. Keulen

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.23.0169

Abstract: Current specifications for cure cycles define a process window within which the part is 'acceptably' cured. It has been well-known for a very long time that the degree of cure affects mechanical properties, but there is limited data currently available in the open literature to demonstrate the effect. As thermal simulation and management becomes better and more sophisticated, there is opportunity to better understand and control thermal histories - either for tighter material control, or to understand process deviations and excursions. This paper discusses thermal management of the curing process and identifies potential situations where a composite may be under-cured or thermally degraded (exposed to excessive temperature during cure). Results of 81 mechanical tests are presented, including tensile, compression, in-plane shear (V-notch rail shear), and short-beam strength on specimens that have been significantly under cured, moderately under-cured, cured according to the manufacturer’s recommended cure cycle, and thermally degraded to identify the effect this has on mechanical properties. This data is compared to NCAMP data as a benchmark. Analytical testing is used to verify properties of the variably cured resin including DOC and Tg. Cure simulation is used to plan out the cure process and provide insight into the results.

References: [1] S.-Y. Lee and G. S. Springer, “Effects of Cure on the Mechanical Properties of Composites,” Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 15–29, Jan. 1988, doi: 10.1177/002199838802200102. [2] N. Slesinger, T. Shimizu, A. Arafath, and A. Poursartip, “Heat transfer coefficient distribution inside an autoclave,” ICCM 17 Proceedings, 2009. [3] J. Fabris, N. Zobeiry, J. Park, and A. Poursartip, “Effect of tool design on thermal management in composites processing,” SAMPE Journal, 2018. [4] K. Vora, T. Vo, M. Islam, M. Habibi, and B. Minaie, “Evolution of mechanical properties during cure for out-of-autoclave carbon-epoxy prepregs,” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 132, no. 9, 2015, doi: 10.1002/app.41548. [5] E. Clarkson, “FAA Special Project Number SP3505WI-Q,” 2019. [6] CMH-17, Ch. 2, vol. 1, 6 vols. SAE International, 2012. [7] “Effect of cure on mechanical properties of a composite (Part 1 of 2) - A319 - CKN Knowledge in Practice Centre.” https://compositeskn.org/KPC/A319 (accessed Jan. 09, 2023). [8] “Effect of cure on mechanical properties of a composite (Part 2 of 2) - A320 - CKN Knowledge in Practice Centre.” https://compositeskn.org/KPC/A320 (accessed Jan. 09, 2023). [9] Y. Ng et al., “Fabrication of NMS 451 Qualification, Equivalency, and Acceptance Test Panels (Solvay (Formerly Advanced Composites Group (ACG) MTM45-1 prepregs),” NCAMP, 2022. [10] ASTM D3039, “Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials.” [11] ASTM D6641, “Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials Using a Combined Loading Compression (CLC) Test Fixture.” [12] ASTM D7078, “Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Composite Materials by V-Notched Rail Shear Method.” [13] ASTM D2344, “Standard Test Method for Short-Beam Strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials and Their Laminates.” [14] ASTM D3518, “Standard Test Method for In-Plane Shear Response of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by Tensile Test of a ±45° Laminate.”

Conference: SAMPE 2023

Publication Date: 2023/04/17

SKU: TP23-0000000169

Pages: 15

Price: $30.00