Processing and properties of low-temperature cure carbon fiber-reinforced bismaleimide composite

Bismaleimide (BMI) resins are used in carbon fiber reinforced composites for high-temperature applications. Conventional BMI resins require high cure and post-cure processing temperatures, which limit fabrication methods and contribute to residual stress and microcracking. Recently, BMIs with lower cure temperatures have been developed; however, little data on the properties of low-temperature cure carbon/BMI composites are available in the open literature. In this study, processing and properties of a low-temperature cure BMI resin system, referred to here as BMI-2, were evaluated. Along with evaluation of neat resin properties, multi-directional woven carbon fiber reinforced BMI-2 composite laminates were fabricated by an out-of-autoclave, vacuum-bag-only resin infusion method. New data on the mechanical, thermal, and moisture absorption properties are presented. It was found that the resin infusion method produced laminates with fiber volume fraction of approximately 55% and immeasurably low void content. BMI-2 was found to attain a degree of cure of 96% and glass transition temperature of 366°C following a 163°C cure cycle. Cured laminates did not suffer from process-induced cracking at the inter- or intra-laminar levels. Tensile strength and modulus of quasi-isotropic specimens with woven AS4 carbon fiber were 443 MPa and 47.6 GPa, respectively, and failure under quasi-static tension occurred by delamination. Compression strength was stable across a wide temperature range, with quasi-isotropic specimens retaining 60% of their room temperature compression strength at 260°C. Equilibrium moisture content of composite specimens was 1.2% by weight.