Calculation of the Temperature Profile during the Pressing of a Fiberglass Based on Epoxy Resin and a Latent Hardener

The thermophysical and physicochemical properties of KMKS-3m.150.T10.37 prepreg and a fiberglass on its basis were investigated. Using multivariate regression methods, the prepreg curing process was studied. It was shown that the experimental dependences can be most adequately described by n th order differential equations for the consumption of the components with auto-acceleration in a three-stage process. Based on the results of the kinetic analysis, the rates of heat generation during prepreg curing in two-stage temperature-time regimes were predicted. Additional heat treatment at a temperature of 150°C afforded a 16°C decrease in the internal temperature (self-heating) of the material. The finite element method was used to calculate the temperature field during the material molding. It was demonstrated that, using the model proposed, the temperature field characteristics can be determined accurately to within 3%. Examination of the distribution of the glass transition temperature of the fiberglass over the volume of the product showed that the difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures may reach 35°C.