Investigation of fast curing epoxy resins regarding process induced distortions of fibre reinforced composites

The present paper reports on a comprehensive experimental study on different FCER systems. It includes the thermo-chemical characterization of neat resin samples as well as the quantification of spring-in deformations of L-profiles. Essential part and processing parameters, as the lay-up, the curing temperature, the cooling rate and the fibre volume fraction are varied and their effect on process induced deformations is quantified. Results for FCER system are compared to slower curing systems to assess differences.