ASTM D3532/D3532M-12
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Gel Time of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
Standard Test Method for Gel Time of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method can be used to obtain the gel time of resin squeezed from prepreg tape or sheet material. This test is a useful measure for material acceptance.
The gel time will vary with the test temperature. The temperatures specified in this test method are two of many temperatures often used in processing epoxy prepreg material. If other test temperatures are used, this is to be clearly noted as indicated in 9.1.2.
Gel time is not recommended as a measure of outline (unacceptable degree of cross-linking). Use Resin Flow Test Method D3532, or Dynamic Viscosity Practice D4473.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of gel time of carbon fiber-epoxy tape and sheet. The test method is suitable for the measurement of gel time of resin systems having either high or low viscosity.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.2.1 Within the text, inch-pound units are shown in brackets.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D3532/D3532M − 12
Standard Test Method for
1
Gel Time of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3532/D3532M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope temperatures often used in processing epoxy prepreg material.
If other test temperatures are used, this is to be clearly noted as
1.1 This test method covers the determination of gel time of
indicated in 9.1.2.
carbon fiber-epoxy tape and sheet. The test method is suitable
for the measurement of gel time of resin systems having either 3.3 Gel time is not recommended as a measure of outline
high or low viscosity. (unacceptable degree of cross-linking). Use Resin Flow Test
Method D3532, or Dynamic Viscosity Practice D4473.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
4. Apparatus
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
4.1 Cutting Knife.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 4.2 HotPlate,capableofmaintainingtemperaturesofeither
with the standard. 120°C [250°F] or 175°C [350°F] and the means of measuring
1.2.1 Within the text, inch-pound units are shown in brack- its surface temperature to an accuracy of 61°C [62°F].
ets.
4.3 Stopwatch or Suitable Timer, capable of reading 1-s
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
intervals up to 60 min.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.4 Microscope Coverglasses, 18 to 22 mm [0.7 to 0.9 in.]
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in diameter.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.5 Wooden Probe, small, such as a toothpick, mounted in a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
drafting pencil holder or fine glass rod.Alow thermal capacity
2. Summary of Test Method is needed.
2.1 A specimen of prepreg material approximately 5 mm
5. Interferences
[0.25 in.] square is placed between microscope cover glasses
5.1 The test is a subjective measure of when a gel point is
on a hot plate preheated to either of two test temperatures, 120
reached. The visual evidence of gel may vary between
or 175°C [250 or 350°F]. Pressure is applied to the specimen
materials, reinforcements, and, in some cases, between resin
throughthecoverglasswithawoodpicktoformabeadofresin
material batches. If the definition of gel in this method is not
at the edge of the cover glass.The time from the application of
sufficiently standard for a given material, interested parties
heat until the resin ceases to form strings by contact with the
shall agree on a further definition of gelation.
pick is noted and reported as the gel time.
6. Test Specimen
3. Significance and Use
6.1 A minimum of three specimens shall be tested for each
3.1 This test method can be used to obtain the gel time of
sample.
resin squeezed from prepreg tape or sheet material. This test is
6.2 The test specimen shall consist of prepreg material cut
a useful measure for material acceptance.
to approximately 6-mm [0.25-in.] square.
3.2 The gel time will vary with the test temperature. The
temperatures specified in this test method are two of many
7. Conditioning
7.1 Store carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg tape at low
1
temperatures, approximately−18°C [0°F], to prolong the use-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on
fulness of the material. Allow the sealed packages of material
Constituent/Precursor Properties.
to warm to ambient temperature before the seal is opened to
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published June 2012. Originally
ensure that the material does not absorb moisture from the
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D3532–99(2009).
DOI: 10.1520/D3532_D3532M-12. atmosphere.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D3532/D3532M − 12
8. Procedure 9.1.1 Complete identification of the material including the
fibertype,thefibermanufacturer,surfacetreatmentofthefiber,
8.1 Cut the specimen of prepreg.
the resin type, the resin manufacturer, and prepreg supplier,
8.2 Preheat the hot plate to either test temperatureA, 120 6
9.1.2 The test temperature, and
1°C [250 6 2°F] or B, 175 6 1°C [350 6 2°F] or the
9.1.3 The gel t
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This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D3532–99 (Reapproved 2009) Designation: D3532/D3532M – 12
Standard Test Method for
1
Gel Time of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3532/D3532M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of gel time of carbon fiber-epoxy tape and sheet. The test method is suitable for
the measurement of gel time of resin systems having either high or low viscosity.
1.2The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are for reference only.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.2.1 Within the text, inch-pound units are shown in brackets.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Summary of Test Method
2.1 Aspecimen of prepreg material approximately 5 mm (0.25 in.)[0.25 in.] square is placed between microscope cover glasses
on a hot plate preheated to either of two test temperatures, 120 or 175°C (250[250 or 350°F).350°F]. Pressure is applied to the
specimen through the coverglass with a wood pick to form a bead of resin at the edge of the cover glass. The time from the
application of heat until the resin ceases to form strings by contact with the pick is noted and reported as the gel time.
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Thistestmethodcanbeusedtoobtainthegeltimeofresinsqueezedfromprepregtapeorsheetmaterial.Thistestisauseful
measure for material acceptance.
3.2 Thegeltimewillvarywiththetesttemperature.Thetemperaturesspecifiedinthistestmethodaretwoofmanytemperatures
oftenusedinprocessingepoxyprepregmaterial.Ifothertesttemperaturesareused,thisistobeclearlynotedasindicatedin9.1.2.
3.3 Gel time is not recommended as a measure of outline (unacceptable degree of cross-linking). Use Resin Flow Test Method
D3532, or Dynamic Viscosity Practice D4473.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Cutting Knife.
4.2 Hot Plate, capable of maintaining temperatures of either 120°C (250°F)[250°F] or 175°C (350°F)[350°F] and the means of
measuring its surface temperature to an accuracy of 61°C (62°F). [62°F].
4.3 Stopwatch or Suitable Timer, capable of reading 1-s intervals up to 60 min.
4.4 Microscope Coverglasses, 18 to 22 mm (0.7[0.7 to 0.9 in.)in.] in diameter.
4.5 Wooden Probe, small, such as a toothpick, mounted in a drafting pencil holder or fine glass rod.Alow thermal capacity is
needed.
5. Interferences
5.1 The test is a subjective measure of when a gel point is reached. The visual evidence of gel may vary between materials,
reinforcements,and,insomecases,betweenresinmaterialbatches.Ifthedefinitionofgelinthismethodisnotsufficientlystandard
for a given material, interested parties shall agree on a further definition of gelation.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on
Constituent/Precursor Properties.
Current edition approved Sept.May 1, 2009.2012. Published November 2009.June 2012. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
D3532–99(20049). DOI: 10.1520/D3532-99R09. 10.1520/D3532_D3532M-12.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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D3532/D3532M – 12
6. Test Specimen
6.1 A minimum of three specimens shall be tested for each sample.
6.2 The test specimen shall consist of prepreg material cut to approximately 6-mm (0.25-in.)[0.25-in.] square.
7. Conditioning
7.1 Store carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg tape at low temperatures, approximately−18°C (0°F),[0°F], to prolong the usefulness of
the material. Allow the sealed packages of material to warm to ambient temperature before t
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