Kister, GuillaumeDossi, Eleftheria2019-12-182019-12-182015-08-29Kister G, Dossi E. Cure monitoring of CFRP composites by dynamic mechanical analyser. Polymer Testing, Volume 47, October 2015, pp. 71-780142-9418https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2015.08.009http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/14864The cure characteristics of carbon/MTM44-1 epoxy composite prepreg and neat MTM44-1 epoxy resin are monitored using a dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA). This study also assesses whether the simple containment device recommended by the DMA manufacturer for powder and gel is suitable for prepregs. The device is a disposable 0.1-mm thick stainless steel pocket. The cure behaviour of the packaged materials is compared with that of the unpackaged prepreg. All the samples are cured following the manufacturer's 180°C-isothermal schedule with heating rates of 2 °C/min and 5 °C/min. The tests highlight that: (i) the cure of composite prepregs and resin can be monitored using a DMA; (ii) the stainless steel pocket does not influence the cure of the prepreg and resin; and (iii) the softening and melting of the uncured resin, the resin low viscosity state and the subsequent gelation-vitrification-solidification of the resin are detected with this method.enAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/CompositeCuringDMAGelationVitrificationDynamic mechanical analysisArticle5695558