Epoxy Resin Used with Carbon fiber

[kfox]

Hi,

I am working on a project where I must track down a good epoxy resin system for use in carbon fiber filament winding. I have 2 questions:

1. Why is a 2 part resin system desirable/undesirable and what are the other feasible alternatives to it?

2. Is there any way, other than testing it out to predict the final properties of the fiber/exopy mix? I.e, can anyone direct me to some info on matrix-fiber interfaces, resultant elongtion, or othe properites.

I realize the properties will be specific for the carbon fiber and the resin I pick, but I was hoping to gain some knowledge to use for that instead of recommending testing many alternatives unsuccessfully.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Kristi

 

[JimMetalsCeramics]

2-part epoxies are inherently more stable and rugged than their 1-part counterparts. In order to get a 1-part to fully cure, you have to introduce active groups into the polymeric chemistry which compromises long term integrity.

 

[JTrentS]

Kristi,

Yes - you can predict material properties using various methods. For the beginner - you should check out a program called CompositePro. It allows you, among many other things, to simply put in the properties of constituent materials, and it will give you the resultant lamina and laminate properties. If you are simply looking for properties of some of the most common materials used in industry - check out MIL-HDBK-17.

Trent