Resin Composition for High Wet Tg and Toughness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resin compositions fail to achieve high wet glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 130°C combined with excellent mechanical properties and a long processing window for resin infusion molding, which is necessary for producing composite parts with high toughness and compression after impact (CAI) strength.
Innovation Solution
A resin composition comprising a glycidyl ether epoxy resin, a naphthalene-based epoxy resin, and an amino-phenyl fluorene curative, where the epoxy resin components contain 12 to 32 wt% of the naphthalene-based resin, providing a high wet Tg of at least 130°C and excellent mechanical properties such as high toughness and CAI strength, while maintaining a suitable processing window for large composite part manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high content of naphthalene diepoxy resin (33-71wt%) is used to achieve high glass transition temperature, then Tg > 150°C is achieved, but mechanical properties including toughness and CAI strength are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the weight percentage of naphthalene diepoxy resin within a specific range (33-71wt%) rather than using extreme values, balancing Tg and mechanical properties through precise compositional control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple epoxy resin types (cyclic ether epoxy resin, naphthalene diepoxy resin, and other epoxy resins) with a curing agent to create a composite resin system that achieves both high Tg and excellent mechanical properties through synergistic effects
2Temperature
If high content of naphthalene diepoxy resin (33-71wt%) is used to achieve high glass transition temperature, then Tg > 150°C is achieved, but processing window is insufficient for large composite parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the compositional parameters of the resin system, specifically controlling the naphthalene diepoxy resin content within 33-71wt% and combining with other epoxy resins and curing agents, to extend the processing window while maintaining high Tg
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a multi-component resin system that simultaneously achieves multiple functions: high Tg, long processing window, and excellent mechanical properties, making it universally suitable for large composite part manufacturing
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional epoxy resin compositions are used, then processing is straightforward, but wet Tg is insufficient to reach at least 130°C with excellent mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite resin system combining cyclic ether epoxy resin, naphthalene diepoxy resin, and other epoxy resins with curing agents, which maintains ease of manufacturing through standard resin infusion processes while achieving wet Tg ≥ 130°C and superior mechanical properties
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resin composition achieves a high wet Tg of at least 130°C, along with improved mechanical properties like critical strain energy release rate, critical-stress-intensity factor, and modulus, enabling the production of composite parts with enhanced toughness and CAI strength, and a long processing window for large part manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a second resin component comprising a naphthalene based epoxy resin (b), an amino-phenyl fluorene curative (c)
Implementation Method 2
providing a desired high wet Tg of at least 130°C
Data Source
AI summary
A resin composition for producing a composite part, comprising a first resin component comprising a glycidyl ether epoxy resin, a second resin component comprising a naphthalene based epoxy resin, and an amino-phenyl fluorene curative; wherein the epoxy resin components a) and b) contain up to 33 wt% of the second resin component.