A consistent cure kinetic model for AS4/3502 graphite/epoxy

Accurate cure kinetic model is crucial for correctly identifying the amount of heat generated for composite process simulation. This paper presents a new technique for identifying cure kinetics parameters for Hercules AS4/350 2 prepreg by normalizing the DSC data. The cure kinetics is based on an aut ocatalytic model for the proposed method, which uses dynamic and isothermal DSC data to determine its parameters. Existing models are also used to det ermine kinetic parameters but rendered inadequate because of the material's temperature dependent final degree of cure. The model predictions determin ed from the new technique showed good agreement to both isothermal and dyna mic DSC data. The final degree of cure was also in good agreement with expe rimental data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.