Curing Kinetics Models

The resin material models in Inspire Resin Transfer Molding support two models for simulating curing kinetics, the Generalized Curing Kinetics Model and the Constant Rate Curing Kinetics Model. Both of these models are used to compute the "degree of curing", which is a scalar variable. Its value ranges from 0.0 to 1.0. Depending on the material, the maximum value will be restricted to the gelation cure value (<= 1.0).

Generalized Curing Kinetics Model

This is also called the nth Order Autocatalytic Model. It is a combination of an nth order term with an autocatalytic term. It has many options to control the curing rate. In this model, both the autocatalytic coefficient and the nth order coefficient can be made temperature-dependent (not exposed in the GUI). However, the interface will set the temperature dependence automatically to None.


Constant Curing Rate Model

This is a simpler and more easily controllable model which assumes that the curing happens at a constant rate. Curing begins when the curing initiation time is reached.


The gelation function is used to describe how the viscosity changes as a function of the degree of curing. It is assumed that the resin is fully cured when the gelation value is reached and it ceases to flow. In addition, the curing reaction is assumed exothermic, and the heat released is included in the energy equation.