Abstract: Cure and decomposition reaction kinetics of typical organic materials in aerospace applications are introduced. From the data of dynamic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments, and based on changes of the peak temperatures (Tp) with different heating rates (β), a linear equation, Tp=T1+∆Tlnβ, has been obtained more reasonably. The above equation can be used to explain some laws of higher or lower of apparent activation energies (Ea), by which the apparent activation energy (Ea) is nearly equal to RT12/∆T. A number of kinetic investigations of typical thermosetting resins and energetic materials in aerospace applications were chosen to validate the above equations.

Key words: thermosetting resin, energetic material, cure, thermal decomposition, reaction kinetics, aerospace application