FACTS, A 'Flow Analysis Cure Time System' for Fiber Reinforced Plastics

摘要

The continuing development of the "new" type of spiral flow tool for reinforced thermoset resin systems has led to the use of an improved sensor for gel and cure time analysis. The use of this sensor, which utilizes impedance values monitored during the cure cycle, gives us a better understanding of what is occurring during the cure. This understanding will aid us in quantifying the dynamic reactions and interactions of the components of the composite materials during the compression molding process. This tool is designed as a compression mold, equipped with real-time data collection of dielectric (impedance) values, temperature data, and pressure data from the mold in two locations. The temperature and pressure sensors are located along the flow channel. The collected data provides an insight into the complex behavior of the material during molding, allowing one to contrast and compare different materials. The development of software to analyze and display the data and the utilization of the new sensor, which is already in use in production tools, makes the data easier to understand, to use to compare formulation changes, and correlate to the production floor. Real time collection of the pressure, temperature, and cure data of the composite material as it flows through the mold makes this laboratory tool an industry standard for development and quality control of compression molding compounds.