The Influence of Temperature and Pressure During the Curing of Prepreg Carbon Fiber Epoxy Resin

Abstract

Abstract The physical and hence mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin are affected by the curing conditions used in their manufacture. The relationship between the cure temperature and pressure and the density, fiber volume fraction, and the void content of cured laminates, was investigated. For the unidirectional 914C prepreg material used, an optimum cure temperature was found which gave maximum fiber volume fraction and composite density, and minimum void content. This behavior is related in the paper to resin flow and cure characteristics. A linear relationship between cure pressure and fiber volume fraction is reported and explained by reference to the void content of the laminates. It is concluded that in-house trials are required to determine the optimum size of the processing window for specific systems and components.