Matsumoto Fine Chemical unveils solution for efficient infusion process with one-part epoxy resins

Figure 1. Impregnation results comparing commercially available two-part epoxy resins for RTM and X-1366R. Photo Credit, all images: Matsumoto Fine Chemical

Matsumoto Fine Chemical (Ichikawa, Japan) has developed a novel one-part thermosetting epoxy resin X-1366R for composite infusion processes. It does not require pre-mixing and can impregnated fibers quickly due to its low viscosity at room temperature. These attributes lead to better quality stability and processability when compared to two-part thermoset resins.

Figure 2. Resin flow distance comparison.

Tests show that X-1366R exhibited more than twice the resin flow distance of commercially available two-part epoxy resins for RTM, as well as high impregnation properties. Fig. 1 above illustrates impregnation results comparing commercially available two-part epoxy resin for RTM and X-1366R. In a +45/-45 carbon fiber/T700S laminate configuration, viscosity of the two-part epoxy resins was 295 mPa･s (23.6ºC), while the X-1366R was 93.3 mPa･s (24.6ºC). Fig. 2 at right compares their resin flow distance.

A comparison of the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) properties with X-1366R or commercially available two-part epoxy resins showed no significant differences and comparable performance, as seen below.

	CFRP with available two-part epoxy resin for RTM	CFRP with X-1366R
Tensile strength [MPa]	2100	2070
Tensile modulus [GPa]	119	112
Breaking strain [-]	1.83	1.73

Based on these results, Matsumoto says its novel one-part resin can be applied as a matrix resin for large CFRP/GFRP structural parts made by the infusion method.

In order to expand X-1366R’s application, the company plans to obtain additional engineering data such as the possibility of curing at lower temperatures and in shorter time, and material properties like flexural modulus, which will be reported on in the future.