CURING OF THERMOSETTING POLYMERS BY AN EXTERNAL FLUID

A theoretical model is proposed for curing thermosetting polymers. The following heat transfer mechanisms are taken into account: convection through the heated fluid-mold interface, conduction through the resin , and heat generated by chemical reaction. To study the influence of t he convective heat in the curing step of the polymers, different exter nal heating fluids are considered. Several chemical systems are used i n the simulation. The results show that an epoxy requires precise cont rol of thermal runaway. Criteria for processability are established an d they provide a cycle time without promoting a damaging exotherm.