Thermal Characteristics of 3501-6/AS and 5208/T300 Graphite Epoxy Composites

摘要

The thermal characteristics of two graphite epoxy composites for use as aircraft structural components have been investigated. The activation energies and heats of reaction for pyrolysis of the composites were found to be 19.7 kcal/mole and -18.4 cal/g for 3501-6/AS and 25.0 kcal/mole and -20.4 cal/g for 5208/T300, respectively. The kinetic parameters enable prediction of thermal degradation at flight temperatures. In fire fighting, bulk material temperatures must be reduced well below 300 C to prevent continuation of exothermic pyrolysis reactions. It was also found that differential scanning calorimetry provides a more sensitive test of composite cure than reflectance infrared measurements. (Author)