A Study on the Properties of Resin Transfer Molding Cyanate Ester and Its T800 Grade Carbon Fiber Composites

Abstract

The properties of resin transfer molding (RTM) cyanate ester and its T800 grade carbon fiber composites were studied with the rheometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical property testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this paper, the results showed that the temperature of cyanate ester suitable for RTM process was 70 °C. Curing process of the resin was 130 °C/2 h+160 °C/2 h+200 °C/2 h+220 °C/4 h. Glass transition temperature and heat decomposition temperature of the cured resin are 289 °C and 415 °C, respectively. Mechanical properties of T800/RTM cyanate composites are 13.5% higher than that of T700/RTM cyanate composites and equal to that of T800/Prepreg cyanate composites. Tg of T800/RTM cyanate composites was proved to be 291°C. Fracture pattern of the composites was flat, which proved excellent interface properties between fiber and resin in this composite.