TY - JOUR
T1 - Thermal management in radical induced cationic frontal polymerisation for optimised processing of fibre reinforced polymers
AU - Staal, Jeroen
AU - Smit, Edgar
AU - Caglar, Baris
AU - Michaud, Véronique
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Radical induced cationic frontal polymerisation (RICFP) is considered a promising low energy method for processing of fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs). Optimisation of the local heat balance between reinforcement, epoxy resin and the surrounding mould is required to pave the way for its adaptation to an industrial processing method for high volume fraction structural fibre reinforced composites. In this work, we investigate several methods to control the governing heat balance in RICFP-processing of FRPs. Heat generation was controlled by tuning the initiator concentration while limitation of heat losses using highly insulating moulds was found beneficial to the front characteristics and resulting curing degrees. An optimised mould configuration allowed for self-sustaining RICFP in FRPs with fibre volume fractions (Vfs) up to 45.8%, exceeding previously reported maxima of similar systems. A process window was moreover established relating the Vf and required heat generation to the potential formation of a self-sustaining or supported front.
AB - Radical induced cationic frontal polymerisation (RICFP) is considered a promising low energy method for processing of fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs). Optimisation of the local heat balance between reinforcement, epoxy resin and the surrounding mould is required to pave the way for its adaptation to an industrial processing method for high volume fraction structural fibre reinforced composites. In this work, we investigate several methods to control the governing heat balance in RICFP-processing of FRPs. Heat generation was controlled by tuning the initiator concentration while limitation of heat losses using highly insulating moulds was found beneficial to the front characteristics and resulting curing degrees. An optimised mould configuration allowed for self-sustaining RICFP in FRPs with fibre volume fractions (Vfs) up to 45.8%, exceeding previously reported maxima of similar systems. A process window was moreover established relating the Vf and required heat generation to the potential formation of a self-sustaining or supported front.
KW - Fiber reinforced polymers
KW - Frontal polymerisation
KW - Out-of-autoclave processing
KW - Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85151285135&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.compscitech.2023.110009
DO - 10.1016/j.compscitech.2023.110009
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85151285135
SN - 0266-3538
VL - 237
JO - Composites Science and Technology
JF - Composites Science and Technology
M1 - 110009
ER -