Guest post by Dr. R. Bruce Prime In Part 2 of this series we introduced the concept of multiple heating rate kinetics. Here we delve into the details of this method, both the principles and how it can be used to measure not only the activation energy (E) but also the constancy of E as a function of conversion, Ea. Following the survey DSC at 10°C/min the next recommended step ... [Click to Continue...]

Post by Dr. R. Bruce Prime In the previous post we gave an introduction to cure kinetics. Here we show how to begin a kinetic study. Whether it is getting a quick feel for how much time to allow for an adhesive to cure at a given temperature or delineating the complete kinetic equation, a survey DSC, e.g. at 10°C/min, is always the recommended first step. A heat-cool-heat run ... [Click to Continue...]

Wishing all of our readers a safe and Happy Halloween!   PS: Dr. Prime will continue his series on cure kinetics on Monday.  More good stuff to come!   ... [Click to Continue...]

Guest Post by Dr. R. Bruce Prime This is the first post in a new series on Thermoset Cure Kinetics, where we introduce the basic principles of kinetics and their general application to thermoset cure. In the following posts we describe important applications to the characterization and design of thermoset cure processes. A common dictionary definition for kinetics is the ... [Click to Continue...]

In previous posts we set the stage for understanding how the viscosity profile changes during non-isothermal curing. We showed how heating rate changes the minimum viscosity, how during the initial softening of a B-staged prepreg, the viscosity is dominated by the temperature dependence and when using latent hardeners, there is no chemical reacting during the initial viscosity ... [Click to Continue...]