Thermoanalysis of phenolic resin-A path towards optimised post curing

Numerous DSC results at high pressure were focused on the cross linking reaction of phenol moulding compounds as well as on dumbbell test specimens manufactured by Bakelite. By suppressing the water evaporation it is possible to investigate the curing reaction independently from the overlapping endothermic effects. The informative value of the High-Pressure-(HP)-DSC is demonstrated by investigating various parameters such as heating rate, degree of curing and post curing effects. HP-DSC is able to deliver data for a kinetic modelling of the cross linking of which first results are presented. This basic information may be employed by industrial partners to optimise curing profiles according to the specific material properties.