Ultrasonic velocity measurements during cure of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)
Elaine Brown, Niamh Corrigan, Phil Coates, Eileen Harkin-Jones
University of Bradford
UK

Keywords: ultrasonic, cure, rotational


Ultrasonic velocity measurements have been made during cure of DCPD. This material is under investigation for use in reactive rotational moulding in which the moulded part is manufactured using liquid DCPD and a layering technique. Each layer must be sufficiently cured to support the weight of subsequent layer addition. Ultrasound is being explored as a non-intrusive process-monitoring tool to detect mechanical property changes during early cure and enable use of the layering technique. Velocity was observed to decrease, simultaneous with temperature rise. Velocity was then observed to increase as cure progressed. The technique can distinguish variations in rate of cure.