Vitrification effect during the reaction injection molding (RIM) process of epoxy resin

Vitrification occurs during the reaction injection molding (RIM) of epoxy resin, and the curing reaction rate is reduced as the T g of the reacting mixture exceeds or approaches the local reaction temperature inside the mold cavity. The effect will be manifested in the distribution of the glass transition temperature across the thickness direction of the molded product. The reaction kinetic equation which includes the vitrification term in the form of the WLF equation is used in the computer simulation of the epoxy RIM process and the effect of the vitrification is shown by comparing with models with no vitrification considerations.