Development of novel material systems for fiber-reinforced polymer applications

Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) are widely used in Civil Engineering applications due to their high strength, toughness and lightweight properties. The Wet Lay-Up and Prepreg methods are commonly used in structural applications. However, they are arduous and time-consuming methods. Through this project, different epoxy curing systems were studied to develop a semi- cured FRP roll to improve efficiency during on-site application of FRPs. A study was done on the effectiveness of the dual-curing thiol-ene-epoxy system and the heat- curing epoxy system to reach a desirable semi-cured state which was still tacky. Analysis was carried out by making visual observations and by using the Differential Photocalorimetry (DPC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The semi- cured state of the dual-curing thiol-ene-epoxy system was a coating which was no longer tacky based on visual observation and corresponding DPC results. However, the heat-curing epoxy system could achieve a semi-cured state which was tacky and possessed good stability at room temperature as observed from DSC results. Resistive heating of carbon fibre was also studied in this project to find an alternative approach to cure the carbon fibre reinforced composites. A quadratic relationship could be drawn from the temperature achieved across a carbon fibre tow with the amount of voltage or current supplied to it while a linear relationship was observed between the temperature achieved and the power supplied. These studies developed a better understanding on the potential of the dual-curing thiole-ene-epoxy and heat-curing epoxy systems and resistive heating of carbon fibre for FRP applications and future recommendations can be undertaken for further study.Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Engineering