Experimental Investigation and Optimization of PC/ABS Blend Composition in DGEBA Resin for Resin Infusion Moulding(RIM)

Abstract

This research investigates the issue of brittleness in DGEBA resin, which limits its suitability for aerospace composite materials. The study explores the combined effects of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in making DGEBA resin more ductile. By ad justing the composition of the PC/ABS blend, the researchers observed significant changes in the viscosity of modified DGEBA resins, with the 90/10 blend showing the least increase in viscosity.To confirm the effectiveness of the blend, the researchers compared various character istics of the modified DGEBA (m-DGEBA) with the unmodified DGEBA (u-DGEBA). They analyzed the FTIR, DSC, cure properties, and cryo-toughening characteristics of m-DGEBA, finding that the 90/10 blend had the most pronounced modifying effect on DGEBA compared to PC100, ABS100, and the 10/90 compositions. Detailed optical images confirmed that the 90/10 blend improved the resistance of DGEBA resins to cryo-cracking. Furthermore, the researchers compared the thermal properties of m-DGEBA with those of modified carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (m-CFRP) composites. They discovered that m-CFRPs exhibited a significant decrease in thermal conductivity compared to both m-DGEBA and carbon fibre alone. This reduction in thermal conductivity may be attributed to the enhanced bonding between m-DGEBA resin and CF layers, which was not previously taken into account. Overall, this study offers valuable in- sights into a straightforward and cost-effective method of modifying DGEBA resins with mini- mal viscosity increase. It also highlights the potential of thermoplastic hybrid blends with low concentrations in the development of high performance polymer composites.