Manufacturing Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Using RTM Process: An Analytical Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 380 ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. do Nascimento Santos ◽  
A.G. Barbosa de Lima

The Resin Transfer Molding process (RTM) has been widely used for manufacturing of high performance components in aerospace and automotive industries. It is an economical and faster method when compared to open molding process because it allows the molding of complex parts with constant thickness, dimensional precision, good surface finishing and an excellent control of mechanical properties. In this sense, this work aims to study theoretically the manufacture process of polymeric composites reinforced with fibers via resin transfer molding. The governing equations of conservation of mass and momentum, and Darcy's law are presented, and the exact solution of the problems is obtained via method of separation of variables. Predicted results of the flow front and the pressure fields of the resin inside the model during the injection process are presented, compared with experimental data and analyzed. It was verified a good agreement between the results.

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Liu ◽  
Chunyan Qu ◽  
Dezhi Wang ◽  
Ming Zhao ◽  
Changwei Liu

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (29) ◽  
pp. 4087-4103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nihad A Siddig ◽  
Christophe Binetruy ◽  
Elena Syerko ◽  
Pavel Simacek ◽  
Suresh Advani

In this study, a simplified cost effective simulation-based methodology is proposed to assist manufacturing engineers in the design and development phase of the resin transfer molding process. Race-tracking is unavoidable in the resin transfer molding and can lead to entrapment of air pockets, which results in parts being discarded as scrap. A purely numerical methodology is presented to distinguish between the critical and non-critical race-tracking scenarios, that will guide the design and production engineers plan an efficient and effective manufacturing strategy. The detection methodology is based on computing the pressure evolution with time during the injection process. The novelty relies on the superimposition of the computed pressure gradient maps that reveals unsuspected common features in the numerous race-tracking cases investigated in the various geometries of increasing complexity considered. The pressure sensors are meant to detect and evaluate different race-tracking scenarios and their level of criticality. The minimum number and locations of pressure sensors arise directly from the highest pressure gradient zones for simple geometries. Sensors placement guidelines are introduced for a simple rectangular shape, then this information is used to qualitatively apply the guidelines to parts of more complex shapes. A general rule that all parts, no matter how complex, can be considered as a combination of simpler ones is presented. Furthermore, a new failure criterion is proposed based on the flow patterns that highlights the likely flow patterns to entrap voids.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ageyeva ◽  
Sibikin ◽  
Kovács

The production and consumption of polymer composites has grown continuously through recent decades and has topped 10 Mt/year. Until very recently, polymer composites almost exclusively had non-recyclable thermoset matrices. The growing amount of plastic, however, inevitably raises the issue of recycling and reuse. Therefore, recyclability has become of paramount importance in the composites industry. As a result, thermoplastics are coming to the forefront. Despite all their advantages, thermoplastics are difficult to use as the matrix of high-performance composites because their high viscosity complicates the impregnation process. A solution could be reactive thermoplastics, such as PA-6, which is synthesized from the ε-caprolactam (ε-CL) monomer via anionic ring opening polymerization (AROP). One of the fastest techniques to process PA-6 into advanced composites is thermoplastic resin transfer molding (T-RTM). Although nowadays T-RTM is close to commercial application, its optimization and control need further research and development, mainly assisted by modeling. This review summarizes recent progress in the modeling of the different aspects of the AROP of ε-CL. It covers the mathematical modeling of reaction kinetics, pressure-volume-temperature behavior, as well as simulation tools and approaches. Based on the research results so far, this review presents the current trends and could even plot the course for future research.


Author(s):  
N. C. Correia ◽  
F. Robitaille ◽  
A. C. Long ◽  
C. D. Rudd ◽  
P. Sˇima´cˇek ◽  
...  

Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) are among the most significant and widely used Liquid Composite manufacturing processes. In RTM preformed-reinforcement materials are placed in a mold cavity, which is subsequently closed and infused with resin. RTM numerical simulations have been developed and used for a number of years for gate assessment and optimization purposes. Available simulation packages are capable of describing/predicting flow patterns and fill times in geometrically complex parts manufactured by the resin transfer molding process. Unlike RTM, the VARTM process uses only one sided molds (tool surfaces) where performs are placed and enclosed by a sealed vacuum bag. To improve the delivery of the resin, a distribution media is sometimes used to cover the preform during the injection process. Attempts to extend the usability of the existing RTM algorithms and software packages to the VARTM domain have been made but there are some fundamental differences between the two processes. Most significant of these are 1) the thickness variations in VARTM due to changes in compaction force during resin flow 2) fiber tow saturation, which may be significant in the VARTM process. This paper presents examples on how existing RTM filling simulation codes can be adapted and used to predict flow, thickness of the preform during the filling stage and permeability changes during the VARTM filling process. The results are compared with results obtained from an analytic model as well as with limited experimental results. The similarities and differences between the modeling of RTM and VARTM process are highlighted.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 4093
Author(s):  
Somen K. Bhudolia ◽  
Pavel Perrotey ◽  
Goram Gohel ◽  
Sunil C. Joshi ◽  
Pierre Gerard ◽  
...  

The bladder molding process is primarily used in sporting applications but mostly with prepregs. Bladder-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (B-RTM) presents the tremendous potential to automate and mass produce the complex hollow-composite profiles. Thin-ply, non-crimp fabrics (NCFs) provide excellent mechanical, fracture toughness, and vibration damping properties on top of the weight saving it offers to a final product. However, these fiber architectures are difficult to inject due to the resistance they provide for the polymer flow using the liquid injection process. Therefore, it is mandatory to optimize the process parameters to reduce the time for injection and simultaneously achieve better consolidation. This work presents a first, detailed, experimental case study to successfully inject a low-permeability, thin-ply, complex, thermoplastic tubular structure, and the effect of process parameters, boundary conditions, the associated manufacturing challenges, and proposed solutions are deliberated in this paper.


2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 1465-1476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkatagireesh Menta ◽  
Ramabhadraraju Vuppalapati ◽  
K Chandrashekhara ◽  
Thomas Schuman ◽  
Jilun Sha

2014 ◽  
Vol 1024 ◽  
pp. 151-154
Author(s):  
Chean Cheng Su ◽  
Cheng Fu Yang ◽  
Chien Huan Wei

The reaction of EMCs with the triphenylphosphine-1,4-benzoquinone (TPP-BQ) latent catalyst also had a higher temperature sensitivity compared to the reaction of EMCs with triphenylphosphine (TPP) catalyst. In resin transfer molding, EMCs containing the TPP-BQ thermal latency accelerator are least active at a low temperature. Consequently, EMCs have a low melt viscosity before gelation, and the resins and filler are evenly mixed in the kneading process. Additionally, the rheological property, flowability, is increased before the EMC form a network structure in the molding process. The proposed kinetic model adequately describes curing behavior in EMCs cured with two different organophosphine catalysts up to the rubber state in the progress of curing.


Aerospace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Sicong Yu ◽  
Xufeng Zhang ◽  
Xiaoling Liu ◽  
Chris Rudd ◽  
Xiaosu Yi

In this concept-proof study, a preform-based RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) process is presented that is characterized by first pre-loading the solid curing agent onto the preform, and then injecting the liquid nonreactive resin with an intrinsically low viscosity into the mold to infiltrate and wet the pre-loaded preform. The separation of resin and hardener helped to process inherently high viscosity resins in a convenient way. Rosin-sourced, anhydrite-cured epoxies that would normally be regarded as unsuited to liquid composite molding, were thus processed. Rheological tests revealed that by separating the anhydrite curing agent from a formulated RTM resin system, the remaining epoxy liquid had its flowtime extended. C-scan and glass transition temperature tests showed that the preform pre-loaded with anhydrite was fully infiltrated and wetted by the liquid epoxy, and the two components were diffused and dissolved with each other, and finally, well reacted and cured. Composite laminates made via this approach exhibited roughly comparable quality and mechanical properties with prepreg controls via autoclave or compression molding, respectively. These findings were verified for both carbon and ramie fiber composites.


2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 1683-1689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghu Raja Pandiyan Kuppusamy ◽  
Swati Neogi

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