RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NANOFIBER ENHANCED EPOXY RESIN VISCOSITY

摘要

The vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process is a process for manufacturinghigh performance composite parts. Recently VARTM has been used to manufacture hybridmultiscale composites with nanofiber enhanced resin systems [1, 2]. Resin viscosity is a crucialproperty for successful resin infusion during the VARTM process. The addition of nanofiber inthe resin system may change the viscosity of the resin flowing through the fiber preform [2];thereby, affecting the time for completing the resin infusion process. In this paper, the relationbetween the viscosity change and the weight percentage of nanofiber loading in the resin systemis discussed along with several useful models in describing the rheological characteristicsdiscovered with the change in temperature and nanofiber loading.Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of theUnited States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, norany of their employees makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability orresponsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus,product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately ownedrights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name,trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,recommendation, or favoring by the Unites States Government or any agency thereof. The viewsand opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the UnitedStates Government or any agency thereof.