Online monitoring of thermoset post-curing by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis DMTA

Thermosetting moulding compounds are synthetic materials which can be easily formed in the molten state and achieve high temperature stability due to a cross-linking process which takes place during manufacture. To ensure thermal and mechanical properties, post-curing of moulded phenolic resin components is necessary for high quality applications. In the industrial practice, post-curing time-temperature-programs are heuristically acquired. In this paper, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis is employed to determine optimal post-curing conditions for injection moulded parts from phenolic resin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.