Adaptive time resolved correlation technique for non-equilibrium dynamics of epoxy resin curing evaluation

Abstract

The time-resolved correlation technique is a standard approach for examining the intricate microscopic dynamics within polymeric materials. Nonetheless, its traditional application falls short in providing the real-time tracking capabilities required for monitoring the dynamic progression effectively. In this study, we propose adaptive time resolved correlation technique to observe the progression of microscopic dynamics during epoxy resin curing. By employing an adaptive processing method with a scheme for baseline auto-determination and the shortest delay time adjustment, the acquisition of intensity autocorrelation function is adjusted to accommodate the evolving dynamics of the system. Then the function can be well fitted to a standard model, which can reveal the system dynamics influenced by non-equilibrium factors such as internal stress relaxation and the cross-linking network. It is believed that the adaptive time resolved correlation technique effectively characterizes the progression of microscopic dynamics and holds potential as an online monitoring technique.