Dynamic mechanical characterization of cure of a polyimide‐graphite fiber composite (PMR 15/Celion 6000)

Abstract Dynamic mechanical studies of thermosetting PMR 15 polyimide/Celion 6000 composites were used to characterize cure behavior. Variation in composite shear modules with cure time for laminates partially cured under 3.45 MPa pressure was compared with that of laminates fully cured under pressure to select a partially cured system whose behavior corresponded with that of the pressure‐cured composites. An empirical kinetic model was developed that relates relative composite shear moduli to cure time and temperature. This model, coupled with standard statistical techniques, was used in the determination of an overall activation energy, E = 145 kj/mole (35 kcal/mole) and order of reaction, n, for the cure reaction(s). The empirical relationship defining dynamic modulus as a function of time and temperature remained linear well into the glassy region. Changes in dynamic glass‐transition temperature and breadth of the transition peaks with cure time are discussed. Shear modulus and damping were found to be more sensitive measures of relative extent of cure than Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.