The prediction capability of the kinetic models extracted from isothermal data in non-isothermal conditions for an epoxy prepreg

In this article, the kinetic behavior of a glass/epoxy prepreg, HexPly® 1454, has been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry data. The kinetic parameters of three different kinetic models have been calculated using non-linear curve fitting of isothermal differential scanning calorimetry data. Curve fitting was done based on genetic algorithm to allow to obtain a unique value for each kinetic parameter. The non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry experiments were predicted using the obtained models. Prediction results demonstrated that only model with the minimum number of kinetic parameters and unique value for each of them can correctly predict non-isothermal experiments at all heating rates.