The results that are calculated for preconditioning analyses for most reactive molding processes show the average temperature and cure at the end of preconditioning. For reactive compression molding, the preconditioning analysis results show how the temperature and cure change during the preconditioning stage.
In the log file, the preconditioning stage of the analysis is shown in negative numbers from - (delay time) to 0.
Figure 1: Section of the Analysis Log, showing the preconditioning analysis results
To understand the temperature and the degree of cure at the end of preconditioning, look at the first step of the Temperature result and of the Conversion at node result. The results that correspond to the end of preconditioning are at, or close to time=0.
Figure 2: Section showing the degree of cure at the end of preconditioning, where the heat transfer coefficient on the bottom surface was set to (a) 5,000, and (b) 500,000