Compositions, polymer composites thermosetting resins

Most processors of fiber-reinforced composites choose a phenol formaldehyde (phenoHc) resin because these resins are inherently fire retardant, are highly heat resistant, and are very low in cost. When exposed to flames they give off very Htde smoke and that smoke is of low immediate toxicity. PhenoHc resins (qv) are often not chosen, however, because the resole types have limited shelf stabiHty, both resole and novolac types release volatiles during their condensation cure, formaldehyde [50-00-0] emissions are possible during both handling and cure, and the polymers formed are brittle compared with other thermosetting resins. 

Currendy, epoxy resins (qv) constitute over 90% of the matrix resin material used in advanced composites. The total usage of advanced composites is expected to grow to around 45,500 t by the year 2000, with the total resin usage around 18,000 t in 2000. Epoxy resins are expected to stiH constitute about 80% of the total matrix-resin-systems market in 2000. The largest share of the remaining market will be divided between bismaleimides and polyimide systems (12 to 15%) and what are classified as other polymers, including thermoplastics and thermoset resins other than epoxies, bismaleimides, cyanate esters, and polyimide systems (see Composites,polymer-matrix-thermoplastics). 

The polyimide shown is a tme thermosetting resin, but the general reaction procedure, coupling the dianhydride with the diamine, is extremely important throughout polyimide chemistry. The intermediate polyamic acid polymers form the basis for many of the polyimide resins used in advanced composites. 

The cure of thermoset resins involves the transformation of a liquid resin, first with an increase in viscosity to a gel state (rubber consistency), and finally to a hard solid. In chemical terms, the liquid is a mixture of molecules that reacts and successively forms a solid network polymer. In practice the resin is catalyzed and mixed before it is injected into the mold thus, the curing process will be initialized at this point. The resin cure must therefore proceed in such a way that the curing reaction is slow or inhibited in a time period that is dictated by the mold fill time plus a safety factor otherwise, the increase in viscosity will reduce the resin flow rate and prevent a successful mold fill. On completion of the mold filling the rate of cure should ideally accelerate and reach a complete cure in a short time period. There are limitations, however, on how fast the curing can proceed set by the resin itself, and by heat transfer rates to and from the composite part. 

Adipic acid [124-04-9] - [ALKYD RESINS] (Vol 2) - [DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS] (Vol 8) - [FOOD ADDITIVES] (Vol 11) - (ELECTROCHEMICALPROCESSDTG - ORGANIC] (Vol 9) -barrier polymers from [BARRIERPOLYMERS] (Vol 3) -from cyclohexane [HYDROCARBONS - C1-C6] (Vol 13) -from cyclohexane [HYDROCARBON OXIDATION] (Vol 13) -from cyclohexanol [CYCLOHEXANOL AND CYCLOHEXANONE] (Vol 7) -as food additive [FOOD ADDITIVES] (Vol 11) -nylon from [POLYAMIDES - FIBERS] (Vol 19) -nylon-6,6 from [POLYAMIDES - GENERAL] (Vol 19) -nylon-6,6 from [POLYAMIDES - PLASTICS] (Vol 19) -m polyester production [COMPOSITE MATERIALS - POLYMER-MATRIX - THERMOSETS] (Vol 7) -m polyester resins [POLYESTERS, UNSATURATED] (Vol 19) -soda preservatives [CARBONATED BEVERAGES] (Vol 5)... 

BMI/Epoxy resins [COMPOSITE MATERIALS - POLYMER-MATRIX - THERMOSETS] (Vol 7) Electrically charged membrane... 

Hand lay-up - [REINFORCED PLASTICS] (Vol 21) -composite fabrication [COMPOSITEMATERIALS - SURVEY] (Vol 7) -resin properties required for [COMPOSITEMATERIALS - POLYMER-MATRIX - THERMOSETS] (Vol 7)... 

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