Post Curing Effects on Out-of-autoclave BMI Composite Panels

Abstract

Bismaleimides (BMI) are thermosetting polymers used in the aerospace industry because they exhibit good physical properties at elevated temperatures and wet environments. BMI based composites are used as a replacement for conventional epoxy resins at higher service temperatures. Out-of-Autoclave processing of BMI composites is similar to epoxies but require higher cure temperatures. Post curing can be used to improve degree of cure which translates to improvement in glass transition temperature and resin dominated properties such as interlaminar shear strength. In the current research, carbon fiber/BMI composite laminates are manufactured by out-of-autoclave processing. The effect of post cure cycles on glass transition temperature is investigated using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. The interlaminar shear strength of post cured samples is measured at room temperature as well as elevated temperatures. It was found that post curing at temperatures upto 246 °C results in an improvement in interlaminar shear strength and glass transition temperature. Laminates fabricated via out-of-autoclave processing exhibited properties comparable to that of autoclave cured composites.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Bismaleimides; Glass transition Copyright 2014. Used by the Society of the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering with permission; Interlaminar shear strength; Post cure

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-193455116-5

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2014

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