Gel-assisted Welding of Epoxy Composite with Ethylene Glycol Mixed Catalyst

Abstract

Abstract Effective and high-strength welding of thermosetting composites is badly in demand and always a challenge in industrial applications. Here, a gel-assisted welding method was proposed for traditional epoxy composites using a gel of 1,5,7-triazabicyclo [4.4.0] dec-5-ene mixed with ethylene glycol (TBD/EG gel) for pretreatment. Firstly, the influence of TBD/EG gel thickness, pretreatment time, pretreatment temperature, and pretreatment after soaking for the welding strength of the epoxy composite was studied. Then, the appropriate TBD/EG gel thickness (2 mm) and TBD/EG gel pretreatment conditions (140 °C for 60 min) were obtained. Compared to the different pretreatment methods for welding, the welding of TBD/EG gel pretreatment is feasible.