Experimental Evaluation and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Thermomechanical Properties of Cyanate-cured Epoxy Resins

Recently, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been increasingly used in the aerospace industry. To apply CFRP as an aircraft-grade structural material, thermosetting resin is used as a matrix to achieve high mechanical properties and environmental resistance. Additionally, the development of multifunctional CFRPs using matrix resins with functional properties, such as flame retardance, heat resistance, and vibration damping, is ongoing. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments were performed to analyze the thermomechanical properties of epoxy/cyanate resins compared with those of conventional epoxy/amine resins, to evaluate the application of this heat resistant resin as an aircraft-grade structural material. This study clarified the properties of epoxy/cyanate resins, which had no cure shrinkage, high glass transition temperature, and low thermal conductivity. These properties are attributed to the characteristic cross-linked structure of epoxy/cyanate resins, which demonstrates their potential as a structural material for next-generation aircrafts.