Thermoset characterization for moldability analysis

Abstract The injection molding of thermosetting compounds involves complex interactions between material parameters and molding conditions, on one hand, and moldability and the ultimate properties of molded parts, on the other hand. The main role of the molding variables may be related to their effects on the cure time and temperature and on the flow and thermal phenomena that affect orientation and residual stresses. These effects are manifested in the ultimate mechanical properties and shrinkage of the molded articles. Only scattered empirical data are available on the effects of material parameters, like the basic kinetic, thermal, rheological, and pressure‐volume‐temperature properties of thermosetting compounds. The lack of useful information in this area may be related to the unavailability of sufficient, satisfactory data on the above properties. This situation has also resulted in limitations on meaningful work towards the mathematical modelling of the molding process, which would be useful for the optimization of production rates and product quality. The paper summarizes the status of work in this area with emphasis on recent results relating to kinetic, thermal, and rheological characterization of thermosetting molding compounds.