scope:

Specifies a method, the apparatus, and the evaluation for the determination of the thermal flow and cure behaviour of thermosetting materials, which usually are granulated or powdered resins. The test is used as a control for the development and production of thermosetting materials and for measuring the different properties (as e.g. melting behaviour, cure behaviour, etc.) as well as the influence of various additives and fillers in any given formulations. Furthermore, the test is applied for verifying the uniformity of different production batches of the same formulation. The test provides useful data to predict the possibility of a material in a particular moulding method. This information is also useful in optimizing process conditions for a particular material, such as the minimum pressure to fill a mould and the time to cure a part.