PRECISE CURING ANALYSIS OF ACCELERATED UNSATURATED POLYESTER REACTIONS UNDER RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY

摘要

Raman Spectroscopy has been found to be a novel method for the characterization of thermosetting polymerization reactions. Unsaturated polyester (UP) resin curing reactions were monitored through a half inch quartz lens by Raman scanning at various rates and the results were compared to DSC scans at the same conditions. At optimal parameters where the reaction rate is controlled Raman provides valuable information of the diffusive reaction period as well as of the initial stages of the reaction. From the spectral changes in peak height, the curing process was monitored. Initiators commonly used in pultrusion process where a rapid reaction undergoes were used and it was found that this on-line technique is valuable even in accelerated reaction processes.