Thermal and rheological characterizations were performed on prepreg produced with two different commercial epoxy resins - M21� and 8552� � aiming to study and optimize the curing cycle of structural components used in aerospace industry. Characterizations were performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis techniques were assessed and the results were correlated and supported by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, to heating rates suggested by the material supplier, DSC analysis allowed to evaluate further heating rates: 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 �C/min. Materials presented the n fractional order kinetic of cure and have in its formulation the presence of thermoplastics, in addition to epoxy and amine. Results confirmed that the best heating rates for processing both materials are the lower ones, as they result in a better control of the reactions between chemical compounds involved and the physical changes that are part of curing process stages. Results have analytically confirmed the suggested proposal for curing cycle from supplier is the best choice for materials involved.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.