A New Approach for Determining Mechanical Properties of Thermoset Resins

Abstract

A new approach for using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), to characterize the mechanical properties of thermoset resins has been developed. This new thermoanalytical method requires that the existing clamping mechanism of the DuPont 981 Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer be modified with semi-half rounds on each face of the clamps. This modification allows the clamping of thermoplastic tubing to be attached to the vibrating arms of the instrument. Thermosetting resin is loaded into the tubing and sealed with thermoplastic plugs. The resin is polymerized upon heating and the cure cycle is obtained. In addition, a rod specimen that has dimensional stability is formed and can be analyzed for the mechanical properties of the resin only.

Since no mechanical, or interfacial bonding, occurs between the resin and thermoplastic tubing, the cured specimen can be removed from the tubing and attached to the arms of the instrument. The characterization of the mechanical properties of the cured rod can be obtained from the usual testing procedure. The purpose of this paper is to show how this modification can be used to obtain curing data and mechanical information on thermoset resins.