Thermal Stability of Epoxy Composite Materials.

The thermal oxidative stability of Fiberite 7714A glassepoxy. 976 carbonepoxy. and 977-2 carbonepoxy was studied at temperatures up to and above their respective glass transition temperatures. Composite samples were subjected to both short- and long-term heating. The first set of samples was heated for 4-6 hours from 100 to 350 deg C, and the second set of samples was cycled for 30-minute intervals from 200 to 400 deg C. The samples were tested in a Perkin-Elmer TGA7 Thermogravimetric Analyzer and weight loss recorded. Weight loss data were compared based on temperature and time at temperature. The results showed good thermal stability for each epoxy material through its glass transition temperature with a weight loss of 1.5 or less. The results were comparable for both long- and short-term temperature exposure.