Matrix Characterization
2019
This chapter describes techniques and test methods that are generally used to analyze and evaluate the chemical, physical, mechanical, and related properties of polymeric resin and resin precursor materials. Prior to the prepregging process, the resin or formulated resin components may exist in a variety of forms. Spectroscopic analysis provides detailed information about molecular structure, conformation, morphology, and physical-chemical characteristics of polymers. Titration and wet chemical analysis for specific functional groups are useful techniques for characterizing individual epoxy components but have limited application and may provide misleading results when complex resin formulations are analyzed. Size exclusion chromatography, an HPLC technique, is particularly useful in determining the average molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of thermoplastic resins. The analysis techniques discussed in the following sections are used to determine the physical properties of thermoplastic and thermosetting materials.