Evolved Gas Analysis of CFRP by Simultaneous TG-DTA and Py-GC/MS

Introduction

Epoxy resins are typically the types of resins used in carbon fiber composite materials (carbon fiber reinforced plastic: CFRP). However, due to the limited heat resistance of this material, CFRP using high heat- resistance polyimide resin has been developed to broaden the applicable temperature range of this type of material. Here, a polyimide matrix, consisting of an intermediate composite material impregnated with carbon fibers (hereafter, referred to as prepreg), was used as the measurement sample. Use of a combination of simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) makes it possible to conduct qualitative analysis of the gas that is evolved, and quantitative analysis of the change in mass when the sample is heated to permit a more detailed analysis of the decomposition reaction.

August 5, 2014 GMT