Composites based on carbon fibers and liquid crystalline epoxy resins, 1 Monomer synthesis and matrix curing

The synthesis and physical characterization of a novel liquid crystalline epoxy resin, used as a matrix for carbon fiber‐reinforced composites is presented in this paper. The curing reaction was monitored by means of calorimetric and rheological measurements. Calorimetric analysis indicates that the presence of carbon fibers does not affect the reaction rate. A conventional isotropic epoxy resin is used as a model compound in the rheological analysis. According to the patent literature, two different formulations of the model compound were used, characterized by a stoichiometric ratio of epoxy and an epoxy excess, respectively, with respect to the curing agent.