Cyanate Ester Modified Epoxy Resin-based Carbon Fiber Composite Materials

The properties of the composites made with carbon fiber and bisphenol-A-dicyanate ester modified epoxy resin have been studied in this paPer. The reactionprocess and products have been analyzed using Fourier transform infrared ray(FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rheometer. The mechanicalproperties including hot-wet of the composites have also been tested. Furthermore,the dynamic modulus and Tg of the composites have been determined by dynamicmechanical-thermal analysis (DMTA). The matrix has been toughened with highqualities thermoplastic resin. The microsmicture of the fracture of the compositeshas been analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tougheningmechanism has also been proposed.The results show that cyanate ester is able to improve the cure reaction ofepoxy resin as well as hot-wet mechanical properties and to decrease the curetemperature. The composites toughened by thermoplastic resin show excellentproperties, Which could be used as main force-bearing components on aeroplanes.