process for the production of thermosetting, mesogenen, oriented plastics containing composite materials

摘要

Continuous fiber reinforced oriented mesogen-containing resin matrix composites are prepared by (A) saturating a continuous fiber substrate material with a curable composition comprising (1) at least one mesogen-containing resin which contains an average of more than one vicinal epoxide group, thiirane group, cyanate group or vinyl ester group per molecule; and, optionally, (2) a curing amount of at least one curing agent and/or curing catalyst therefor; (B) arranging one or more saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) formed in step (A) into a desired configuration; (C) subjecting the arranged saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) from step (B) to a temperature which causes the mesogen-containing resin to convert to a liquid crystalline state; (D) subjecting the heated arranged saturated continuous fiber substrate material(s) from step (C) to a pressure sufficient to cause flow induced shear in the interstices of said continuous fiber substrate; (E) subjecting the continuous fiber substrate material of step (D) to curing conditions either simultaneously with the application of pressure in step (D) and/or subsequent to said application of pressure; and (F) permitting the cured continuous fiber reinforced composite of step (E) to cool to room temperature; thereby forming a cured continuous fiber reinforced composite containing an oriented mesogen-containing resin matrix. These composites have improved properties as compared to composites which are not oriented.