Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of composites: using ultrasound to monitor the curing of composites
(2013)
Typical composite materials for lightweight construction consist of a fibre (glass or carbon) reinforced thermosetting matrix. The impregnation of the fabric is made with liquid resin – usually epoxy resin or unsaturated polyester resin are used. The main processing methods are resin transfer moulding (RTM) and prepreg technology often used in combination with autoclave curing. After shaping, the resin must be cured. The final properties of the produced parts depend on the curing degree and the final glass transition temperature. Analytical methods and the use of ultrasound for online cure monitoring in the manufacturing process are introduced. Examples for the application of ultrasonic cure monitoring for the production of composite parts for traffic systems are also covered.
Carbon fibre prepregs have found widespread application in lightweight constructions. They are based on a carbon fibre fabric impregnated with reactive epoxy resin. Measurements were carried out using commercially available prepreg material. For Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), a single cantilever measuring device was applied. The DMA results were refined by additional DSC measurements. The measurements were carried out with dynamic heating in the temperature range -90 to 280 °C. The heating rates were 1 and 2 K/min, respectively. A glass transition of the uncured material (Tg0) near 1 °C, and crosslinking-induced vitrification and devitrification at the maximal glass transition temperature of the cured material (Tgmax) in the temperature range 220 to 230 °C were found. The activation energies for the glass transitions were determined using an Arrhenius plot. By detailed consideration of the influence of the frequency on the DMA data, indications for gelation were deduced.
Epoxy carbon-fibre prepreg, Hexcel Type 6376 HTS, was investigated using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The DMA characteristic parameters are storage modulus E', loss modulus E' and loss factor tanδ. These parameters are ideally suited to observe the vitrification, referred to as glass transition, resulting from the cross-linking reaction. Detection of the cure state may also be achieved by determining the momentary glass transition temperature of partially cured samples. The consequent use of a multi-frequency measuring regime was used to derive the apparent activation energy for the glass transition process. Different temperature programs were also applied to monitor the curing process directly, as well as to investigate the different states of incomplete cure reached in preceding curing steps. The intention was to provide better understanding of the consequences of an interrupted autoclave curing process and to use DMA to detect the cure state achieved. With DMA, the continuation of an incomplete curing process also can be monitored. DMA measurements up to 300 °C showed, furthermore, that the final glass transition temperature was reduced by thermal degradation at high temperatures.