Abstract:
Using the non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry method, the viscosity test and Fourier infrared spectrum scanning technique, the curing characteristics of epoxy resin system under ultrasonic vibration with different amplitudes were studied. Based on Flynn-Wall-Ozawa/FWO, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose/KAS and Boswell integral kinetic models, the activation energy of resin system under various ultrasonic vibration conditions was calculated. Combined with the Malek most probable function method, the curing reaction kinetic equation of resin system under ultrasonic vibration was obtained, which was verified by experimentally recorded curing degree. Results show that the greater the ultrasonic vibration amplitude, the more obvious the reduction of viscosity of the epoxy resin system. The activation energy of resin system increases under ultrasonic vibration with smaller amplitude, and the activation energy decreases significantly when the amplitude increases. The infrared spectrum test of cured product shows that with the increase of the ultrasonic amplitude, the hydroxyl absorption peak drops, which probably due to the fact that the ultrasonic effect accelerates the amine group addition reaction or the hydroxyl etherification reaction. The resin curing reaction model under ultrasonic vibration is in agreement with the form of autocatalytic model, which shows that ultrasonic effect cannot change curing reaction mechanism of epoxy resin system. The above research results have certain guiding significance for the design and optimization of ultrasonic vibration assisted resin transfer molding (RTM) technique for manufacturing carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites.