Reinforced epoxy resin cure assessment in composite materials: Measure and effects

The effects of three degrees of cure (low, standard and postcured) on two carbon reinforced epoxy resins are examined. The polymerization degree is tentatively assessed by thermal analysis techniques, namely by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The effects on both static mechanical and fracture toughness properties have been checked. It has been found that the glass transition temperature measured by DMA is the parameter, among those studied (both thermal and mechanical), that is more sensitive to the cure degrees.