Deterministic Approach to Obtain Autocatalytic Cure Kinetics Model Constants by Normal Equations of Least-Squares Method

This letter proposes a novel method to determine the constants of the autocatalytic model using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data. The proposed method is based on the normal equations, which is an analytical approach of the least-squares method. The method requires only two standard DSC dynamic scan data obtained at the linear heating rates of 5 and 10 °C/min but can obtain the four cure kinetics parameters of the autocatalytic model, including the activation energy, analytically but accurately without regression analyses. The method is implemented for a highly filled epoxy molding compound (EMC). Excellent agreements between the predicted cure extent and the test data corroborate the robustness and accuracy of the proposed method.