S. Shaghaghi - Master of science student
M.H. Beheshty - Asociate Professor, Composite Department
H. Rahimi۲ - Asociate Professor, Composite Department, Iran Polymer

Phenolic/glass prepreg are widely used for making composites for structural parts. In this paper, four types of glass/phenolic prepregs, containing about 40 wt% resins were prepared; by using resole and novolak phenolic resins, and Satin glass fiber fabric. They were Bstaged or pre-cured at 100, 110˚C and 120˚C in a lab-scale prepreg production machine with different processing conditions. Then, the volatile content, resin content, conversion or the degree of pre-cure, tack and flow behavior were characterized, in order to determine the conditions in which the processing condition is optimum. Results show that the level of pre-cure or conversions were in the range of 2 to 55% and has significant effect on tack and flow properties of prepreg. The best tack was achieved for resole prepreg containing 15% novolak resin (Re15N). On the other hand, the volatile content of prepreg is very critical and has a dual effect on tack and processing condition. For this prepreg, the maximum amount of tack was found to be at 6.5% precure. Cure behavior and rheological properties of these prepregs were studied by using DSC and a rheometer

Prepreg; phenolic; conversion; tack; resin flow; rheological properties