Combining wave and spectroscopic techniques to monitor the development of thermosets during cure

This work presents the first attempt to use ultrasonic sensors and a Raman spectrometer in a single testing set-up. The aim is to evaluate methods to infer thermo-chemical and mechanical properties of thermosets in one experiment. Basics of both technologies are outlined. On this basis a measurement device is presented as a proof of concept to test thermosetting systems under isothermal conditions. The Raman data processing algorithm BEADS is implemented and the signal analysis regarding the degree of cure is described. To validate this new technique, three epoxy systems are tested. Preliminary results of the prototype show general agreement between Raman results and standard DSC testing. The results show the necessity of further development of the algorithm. Ultrasound results of the time of flight of longitudinal waves through epoxy samples is as expected, with sensor limitations for high temperature measurements.