| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
| Symposium
|
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
| Presentation Title |
Cure Kinetics, Void Contents, and Thermal Properties of Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites Processed through Frontal Polymerization (FP): An Experimental and Numerical Study |
| Author(s) |
Aurpon Shams, Easir Papon, Anwarul Haque |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Aurpon Shams |
| Abstract Scope |
This study explores the influence of short carbon fiber (SCF) reinforcement on epoxy composites processed via frontal polymerization (FP), a novel method catalyzing monomers into polymers through a self-sustaining, heat-generated reaction zone. The research reveals the degree of cure in these composites varies between 70% and 85%, demonstrating a decrease as SCF content increases from 1% to 3%. Additionally, the glass transition temperature (Tg) shows a slight reduction from 154°C in neat epoxy to 149°C with a 3% SCF addition, indicating a slight decline in thermal stability. Notably, the composites exhibit approximately 12% void content and internal cracks due to thermal stresses during curing, which could impact performance. A thermochemical model developed in ABAQUS, employing the HETVAL subroutine for simulating heat generation from exothermic polymerization, further elucidates these findings. This model enables predictions of material behavior under varying degrees of cure and thermal conditions, highlighting the kinetic aspects of cure and the influence of SCF reinforcement on the FP's front velocity and the composite's overall properties. The inclusion of SCF impacts the front propagation speed, providing valuable insights into composite manufacturing optimizations for superior material characteristics. This comprehensive approach integrates experimental analysis with predictive modeling, underscoring the pivotal role of SCF reinforcement in modulating the curing process and influencing the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites, aimed at refining composite design and processing to meet specific application demands. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |