Temperature Evolution During Processing of Thick-Walled Anionic Polyamide 6 Composites: Experiment and Simulation

• Published in: Macromolecular materials and engineering Vol. 298; no. 7; pp. 722 - 729
• Main Authors: Teuwen, Julie J. E., van Geenen, Ab A., Bersee, Harald E. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.07.2013; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: anionic polymerization; Applied sciences; Computer simulation; Construction; Convection modes; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Heat transfer; kinetics (polym.); Laminates; Mathematical models; modeling; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymerization; Studies; Technology of polymers; Temperature profiles; thermal properties; Transient heat transfer; vacuum infusion; Ring opening polymerization; Temperature distribution; Bulk polymerization; Laminate; vacuum infusion; kinetics (polym.); Experimental study; Modeling; Chemical reaction kinetics; Amide 6 polymer; Kinetic model; thermal properties; Thick wall; Glass fiber fabric; Anionic polymerization; Heat transfer with reaction
• ISSN: 1438-7492; 1439-2054
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201200083

A 1‐D through‐the‐thickness transient heat transfer model is built to simulate the curing process of thick‐walled glass‐fibre‐reinforced anionic polyamide‐6 (APA‐6) composites. The temperature and the degree of polymerisation through the thickness of the composite are calculated and compared to the experimentally obtained results. The kinetic models describing the polymerisation behaviour of APA‐6 are implemented in the model. The kinetic model not taking into account the convection in the polymerisation process shows the best results. It is found that the predicted temperature profiles agree well with the experimental data. A 1‐D through‐the‐thickness transient heat transfer model is build to simulate the cure process of thick‐walled APA‐6 composites. Kinetic models describing the polymerisation behaviour of APA‐6 are implemented into the model and the results are compared with experimentally obtained results. It is found that the predicted temperature profiles agree well with the experimental data.