Experiment § Resin transfer molding at room temperature
RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) is a technology for manufacturing polymer composite materials. The process is to press the fiber without resin impregnation into a "preform," then put it into a closed mold, mixing resin and curing agent into the mold. The finished product is obtained after curing and molding (Figure 1). Compared with other processes, RTM has the advantages of less workforce, which can save labor, reduce costs, and obtain smooth surfaces and more accurate dimensions. We have developed a two-pack epoxy resin, the NH057 series, that meets the needs of RTM. This product has a viscosity of less than 400cps after mixing and can quickly wet the preform, making it easy to process. NH057-2 can be removed from the mold after 30℃/4 hours, and the following product can be prepared directly. Room temperature curing does not require heating, which reduces energy consumption and is suitable for large and low-volume components (Figure 2). The surface of the cured product was glossy and transparent, and the carbon fiber pattern was visible (Figure 3). NH057 series have different reaction times and are all solvent-free, which can protect users' health. Welcome your inquiry (Figure 4).
─Author: Miss. Zhu-Jun, Dai
Activity § Internship to experience working life
Students do internships outside the school. Not only can they learn about the industry situation in advance, but they can also get inspirations that are different from the school. The internship course includes instrument teaching, hands-on activity experience, and a finished product application explanation. It is hoped that students can connect what they see at work with professional knowledge (Figure 1-3). In addition, we also have arrangements for sharing workplace experiences, such as interview notes, career planning, and development, how to solve problems, etc. (Figure 4), so that new people in the workplace can have a more profound feeling. Thank you to this year's summer interns (Figure 5).
Knowledge § Why do epoxy resins chalk when used outdoors?
Available epoxy resin has strong adhesion to cement and good hardness and can be used as indoor floor paint. In addition, this material can also protect steel from moisture and oxygen and is widely used in anti-rust primers. Because epoxy resin has the structure of aromatic ether, the amine curing agent contains nitrogen elements, and the cured product is easy to resonate when aging, so it cannot be used as an outdoor topcoat. If the resin is exposed to the sun outdoors, it will be yellow and lose its luster first. The cracked small molecules then volatilize into the air, resulting in a loss of paint quality and tiny cracks. Exposure to the end will cause the resin to fail to hold inorganic fillers (For example, pigments, extenders, etc.), causing these powders to fall out of the paint, so we feel powdery to the touch.
Living § Tsengwen Reservoir, sightseeing yacht
The largest reservoir in Taiwan is the Tsengwen Reservoir, which has two famous scenic spots, Boar Island and Eagle Canyon. Search for keywords on the Internet. You can find Tsengwen Reservoir sightseeing yachts. The half-day tour to the Tsengwen Reservoir sightseeing lake usually starts at 1:30 in the afternoon. The meeting point is at the pier near the viewing platform to board the boat. Be on time! The first stop of the yacht will be approaching Boar Island. The guide will introduce that the Boar will rush to the pier to wait for tourists to feed when he hears the famous song "Princess Stays Up All Night" by Pavarotti. Once the wrong piece is placed, no boar will come near. It's amazing! The highlight is the Eagle Canyon, which has the most eagles in Taiwan. Each person will get a fishing rod without bait when arriving at the fishing platform. As long as the feed is sprinkled on the lake and the fishing line is thrown into the lake, the fish will be hooked. After waiting for a certain number of fish to accumulate, the guide will throw the small fish into the lake, and the eagles will swoop into the lake to take the small fish away. This scene shocked the tourists. The guide said that if the airflow direction were wrong, the eagle would not rush down to catch the small fish. After the lake tour, we can take a walk on the observation deck next to it and enjoy the beautiful view of the reservoir. Tsengwen Reservoir is an important place for millions of people in southern Taiwan to live with water and an excellent place to relax!
─Author: Mr. Yong-Long, Chen
