Predicting the cure of thermosetting polymers: The isoconversion map

The modeling of the cure kinetics is widely used to predict the progress of the chemical reaction during processing of thermosetting resins. In this study, a new technique named the “ Isoconversion Map ” is proposed to predict thermoset curing from a series of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. On the basis of the isoconversion methodology, it is possible to devise a model‐free technique to predict resin conversion for a given temperature profile. In this work, the cure kinetics of an epoxy resin has been measured by dynamic DSC tests to construct the proposed “ isoconversion map .” The evolution of the resin cure for a given temperature profile has been determined by applying the proposed approach and then compared with the predictions of common cure kinetics models. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers