PROCESSING THERMOPLASTIC, RESIN FILM INFUSION MATERIALS, BASED ON CYCLIC BUTYLENE TEREPHTHALATE

摘要

Thermoplastic oligomers based on cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) have very low melt viscosities and can polymerize quickly into poly butylene terephthalate (PBT), a common thermoplastic polyester. PBT is known for its good structural properties, high dielectric strength, and low moisture absorption, and would make a good composite matrix for many applications, if its high viscosity could be overcome. CBT allows for a low viscosity route to PBT that can be used in a variety of processes including resin film infusion (RFI). Development of a CBT based RFI intermediate, including catalyst incorporation, fiber/resin architectures, cure cycle, and methods of intermediate production are discussed.