Fast Cure of Vinyl Ester Resins for Automotive Applications 871213

The paper will discuss liquid molding process parameters and physical properties of a unique line of vinyl ester resin systems specifically designed for structural automotive composites.

This new family of vinyl ester resins gel rapidly and are well suited to high volume processes where short cycle times are desirable. In addition the processing rate can be easily controlled to suit the size and shape of the part being produced. The effects of catalyst level and molding temperature on gel time and degree of cure will be reviewed in this paper.

Resin parameters such as viscosity and wet out will also be discussed. A key factor to obtaining good fiber wet out is maintaining a low system viscosity for as long as possible after fill and prior to cure. Viscosity plots depicting this behaviour will be reviewed. To conclude the paper, final part physical property data such as tensile and flexural strength and modulus will be presented as well as the effects of postcure.