Kinetic studies of a composite thermoset cure reaction—application in pultrusion simulations

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Abstract
A mechanistic kinetic model based on the concept of free radical polymerization and corrected for diffusion controlled reactions was used to describe the curing behavior of an unsaturated polyester resin. Kinetic parameters for the model were obtained from dynamic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans using a multiple regression technique. The presence of kaolinite or fiber glass in the system does not affect the progression of the reaction. The results obtained from the kinetic studies were used to simulate the influence of system composition on temperature and conversion profiles inside a pultrusion die. The results of the simulations show that kaolinite and fiber glass act as heat sinks for the composite system reducing the peak exotherm and delaying curing progression.