Investigation of curing behaviour of melamine/phenolic (MP) thermosets

Commercially available melamine/phenolic (MP) moulding compounds used for manufacturing electro installation parts were investigated by laboratory thermal analysis methods: Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dielectric Analysis (DEA). The results were compared with on-line measurements in a compression mould using incorporated dielectric and ultrasound sensors. Softening and cross-linking behaviour were analyzed. For on-line process monitoring, only the ultrasound method worked well. The dielectric method was distorted by water formed as a by-product from the poly-condensation reaction. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.