Effects of Cure and Moisture on the Properties of Fiberite 976 Resin

Tests were performed to evaluate the effects of cure and moisture on the moisture ab sorption characteristics and on the mechanical properties of Fiberite 976 resin. The maxi mum moisture content M_m was determined as a function of degree of cure, temperature, and relative humidity. The diffusivity D was determined as a function of degree of cure and temperature. Empirical correlations were established for the maximum moisture con tent and for the diffusivity. The tensile, compressive, and shear strengths and moduli, and the fracture toughness of dry resin were measured at different degrees of cure ranging from 0.6 to 0.95. The tensile, compressive, and shear properties were also measured at dif ferent degrees of cure with resins containing 0 to 4 percent moisture. These data indicate the individual effects of cure as well as the combined effects of cure and moisture on the mechanical properties.