Analysis of glass fabric impregnation using a resin drop method

Abstract

Wettability of a glass fabric was studied by use of a resin drop method. The mixing ratios of epoxy resin and anhydride hardener were adopted as 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1.2. A catalyst of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole added as much as 0.1wt% of the mixed resin. A curing analysis by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) showed that the mixed resin could be infiltrative at room temperature. An effective contact angle and the height of the resin drop onto the glass fabric preset on a flat glass plate were measured as a function of time. The wet area of the resin drop was also measured. Behaviors of the contact angle, the drop height, the net wet area and the coefficient of wettability were analyzed in the glass fabric impregnation. The resin drop method was shown to be quite effective in evaluating the capillary-mode resin penetration into the fabric.