Isothermal thermogravimetric analysis as a tool to determine high temperature performance of impregnating resins

The paper describes the investigation of different unsaturated polyesterimide resins with varying comonomer composition by isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In this case the isothermal TGA was conducted in the same way as the standard ISO 2578 procedure for the determination of TI by loss of mass. A temperature range between 230/spl deg/C and 290/spl deg/C was chosen and short-term TI values were determined. These values give good informations an the thermal behavior of the resins so that the method is a good tool for the chemist on one side and the manufacturer of equipment with reduced time of life.