Study of prepregs lifetime based on epoxy resin with aromatic amine hardener

Abstract

Today, there is a steady trend in the use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics in the aerospace and defense industries, mainly based on using pre-impregnated semi-finished products - prepregs. Producing carbon fiber parts from prepregs often requires a long manufacturing time, during which the prepreg must maintain its performance properties. Therefore, one of the main characteristics of prepreg is its viability. This work developed a suitable resin composition with optimized properties and a methodology for studying the viability of prepreg samples, based on determining the stickiness and degree of curing of the prepreg depending on storage time. The influence of prepreg storage time on the strength characteristics of cured laminates was studied. Prepreg samples with long-term viability of up to 60 days were obtained. The experimental data obtained are of practical significance in the industrial production of carbon fiber products, as they establish a connection between the performance properties of the prepreg and storage time.