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Process cure monitoring of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, and gel coats by Raman spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Skrifvars Mikael,
Niemelä Pentti,
Koskinen Rauli,
Hormi Osmo
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.20584
Subject(s) - raman spectroscopy , curing (chemistry) , materials science , polyester , vinyl ester , composite material , polymer chemistry , polymer , copolymer , optics , physics
The curing process of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, and gel coats was studied by using a process Raman spectrometer, equipped with a remote fiber‐optic probe. The resins were cured and Raman spectra were recorded during the curing reaction. The spectral changes were identified and, from the intensities, the cure process could be monitored. Gel times given by the resin suppliers correlated well with the Raman results. It could also be seen that the curing process continues for a long time, up to several weeks. Postcuring will finally complete the curing process. White and lightly colored gel coats could easily be monitored by Raman spectroscopy, but fluorescent problems were encountered with heavily colored pigments. The curing of laminates containing 50–70 wt % glass fiber mat could also be followed by Raman spectroscopy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1285–1292, 2004