Chemorheological Behavior of Cyanate Ester Resin and Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

ABSTRACT：Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites consist of carbon fibers in a polymer matrix. Recently, CFRP composites having high thermal stability and low outgassing are finding their use in high performance materials for aerospace and electronics applications under high temperature and high vacuum conditions. Cyanate ester resin is one of the most suitable matrix resins for this purpose. In this study, proper combination of cyanate ester and catalyst, curing behavior, and cure cycle were determined by chemorheology. Optimum condition was found to be catalyst content of 100 ppm and curing temperature of 150 oC. Thermal stability and outgassing of cured resin composition were analyzed and the results showed thermal decomposition temperature of 385 oC and total mass loss of 0.29%. The CFRP prepregs and subsequent composites were fabricated by predetermined resin composition and the cure condition. Tensile moduli of the composites were compared with theoretical models and the results were very consistent