Effect of degree of cure and fiber content on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced PMR‐15 polyimide composites

Abstract A unidirectional continuous carbon fiber reinforced polyimide composite is fabricated using the PMR‐15 polyimide as a matrix. Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of the composite are studied. The effect of variation of the fiber content ranging from 55% to 70% by volume on the properties of the composite is determined. The effects of the laminate thickness and degree of curing of the matrix on the Izod impact strength are examined. The effect of the degree of curing of the matrix on the dynamic mechanical spectrum is studied. Finally, variables such as humidity, environment temperature, vacuum, and pressure during laminate processing, and variation of monomer composition are discussed in terms of change in matrix structure, which is reflected in a variation of Tg between batches.