<scp>PMMA</scp>/<scp>MMA</scp> binary liquid resins and composites: Molecular weight, initiator selection, mechanical properties and pot life

Abstract The replacement of thermosetting epoxy resins by thermoplastic polymers is a promising trend in the development of continuous fiber‐reinforced composites. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shows good mechanical properties and plasticity and is expected to be used as a polymer matrix material for composites. In this paper, the PMMA/methyl methacrylate (MMA) binary liquid resins were prepared and the effects of PMMA molecular weight and its concentration on the viscosity were investigated. A comparison was made between two types of initiators, BPO‐DMA (benzoyl peroxide and N‐N‐dimethylaniline) and LPO‐DMA (dodecanoyl peroxide and N‐N‐dimethylaniline), on the mechanical properties of PMMA casting and pot life of the binary liquid resins. It was observed that LPO‐DMA was more suitable for potential application during the preparation of large wind turbine blades, both in terms of mechanical performance and pot life. Furthermore, the tensile property, flexural property and interlaminar shear property of glass fiber‐reinforced PMMA composites were conducted, which were superior to epoxy resin composites, revealing the bright prospect of PMMA/MMA binary liquid resin. Highlights A recyclable thermoplastic resin was developed for fiber reinforced composite. The first study on the pot life of acrylic‐based infusion resins. LPO‐DMA surpasses BPO‐DMA according to mechanics and pot life.