scholarly journals COMPUTATIONAL MODELING OF RTM AND LRTM PROCESSES APPLIED TO COMPLEX GEOMETRIES

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Da S. Porto ◽  
M. Letzow ◽  
E. D. Dos Santos ◽  
S. C. Amico ◽  
J. A. Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Porous Medium ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Complex Geometries ◽  
Resin Flow ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Rtm Process ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Filling Time

Light Resin Transfer Molding (LRTM) is a variation of the conventional manufacturing process known as Resin Transfer Molding (RTM). In general terms, these manufacturing processes consist of a closed mould with a preplaced fibrous preform through which a polymeric resin is injected, filling the mold completely, producing parts with complex geometries (in general) and good finish. Those processes differ, among other aspects, in the way that injection occurs. In the RTM process the resin is injected through discrete points whereas in LRTM it is injected into an empty channel (with no porous medium) which surrounds the entire mold perimeter. There are several numerical studies involving the RTM process but LRTM has not been explored enough by the scientific community. Based on that, this work proposes a numerical model developed in the FLUENT package to study the resin flow behavior in the LRTM process. Darcy’s law and Volume of Fluid method (VOF) are used to treat the interaction between air and resin during the flow in the porous medium, i.e. the mold filling problem. Moreover, two three-dimensional geometries were numerically simulated considering the RTM and LRTM processes. It was possible to note the huge differences about resin flow behavior and filling time between these processes to manufacture the same parts.

scholarly journals Examination of Void Formation Mechanism by Numerical Analysis

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 096369359700600
Author(s):  
Naoto Ikegawa ◽  
Hiroyuki Hamada ◽  
Zenichiro Maekawa
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Method ◽  
Porous Medium ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Formation Mechanism ◽  
Flow Resistance ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Void Formation ◽  
Homogenization Method ◽  
Transfer Molding

In order to analyze flow behavior of resin in the system with porous medium such as fibrous reinforcement for Structural Resin Transfer Molding (SRTM), equivalent viscosity according to a concept of homogenization method was introduced as an index of flow resistance. Numerical analysis using finite element method (FEM) was performed to clarify the void formation mechanism.

scholarly journals A Semi-Analytical Model to Predict Infusion Time and Reinforcement Thickness in VARTM and SCRIMP Processes

Polymers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felice Rubino ◽  
Pierpaolo Carlone
Keyword(s):  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Resin Flow ◽  
Liquid Composite Molding ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Deformable Porous Media ◽  
Filling Time ◽  
Composite Molding ◽  
Fabric Deformation ◽  
Porosity And Permeability

In liquid composite molding processes, such as resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), the resin is drawn through fiber preforms in a closed mold by an induced pressure gradient. Unlike the RTM, where a rigid mold is employed, in VARTM, a flexible bag is commonly used as the upper-half mold. In this case, fabric deformation can take place during the impregnation process as the resin pressure inside the preform changes, resulting in continuous variations of reinforcement thickness, porosity, and permeability. The proper approach to simulate the resin flow, therefore, requires coupling deformation and pressure field making the process modeling more complex and computationally demanding. The present work proposes an efficient methodology to add the effects of the preform compaction on the resin flow when a deformable porous media is considered. The developed methodology was also applied in the case of Seeman’s Composite Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP). Numerical outcomes highlighted that preform compaction significantly affects the resin flow and the filling time. In particular, the more compliant the preform, the more time is required to complete the impregnation. On the other hand, in the case of SCRIMP, the results pointed out that the resin flow is mainly ruled by the high permeability network.

Monitoring of resin flow in the resin transfer molding (RTM) process using point-voltage sensors

2007 ◽  
Vol 67 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 367-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Danisman ◽  
Goker Tuncol ◽  
Alper Kaynar ◽  
E. Murat Sozer
Keyword(s):  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Resin Flow ◽  
Voltage Sensors ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Rtm Process

Effects of Weirs on the Resin Transfer Molding Process

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran M. D’Silva ◽  
Su-Seng Pang ◽  
Kurt C. Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Glass Fibers ◽  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Mold Filling ◽  
Laminated Plates ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Outlet Port ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Inlet Port ◽  
Rtm Process ◽  
Filling Time

Abstract Low mold filling time and improper fiber wetting are the main problems faced by the manufacturers applying the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. The objective of this work was to minimize these problems and to study the effect of weirs on the RTM process. A mold was designed such that the lower mold plate contains two weirs, one at the resin inlet port and the other at the outlet port. The purpose of adding the weirs is to provide a continuous inlet stream near the resin inlet port and to cause backpressure near the outlet port to induce complete mold filling. Laminated plates were prepared using glass fibers and epoxy resin (combination of EPON resin-862 and curing agent W). The test parameters investigated, such as void contents, dry spots and mold filling time, were compared with those of samples that were prepared without the use of weirs. It was found that the presence of weirs resulted in significant elimination of dry spots, minimization of void contents and a reduction in mold filling time. As a result, the cost required to manufacture composite parts can be reduced by the use of weirs. In addition to the experimental investigation, a computer simulation (using LCMFLOT software) of resin flow inside the mold cavity was conducted. Many simulations were run in order to optimize the height and shape of the weir. Rectangular weirs of height 2.54 mm showed minimum mold fill time. It was found that the results obtained from the experimental work and flow simulations are in good agreement. Based on this work, it is evident that complex parts can be produced in less cycle time if weirs are positioned at appropriate locations.

A Study on Resin Flow through a Multi-layered Preform in Resin Transfer Molding

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 493-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Seong ◽  
K Chung ◽  
T. J. Kang ◽  
J. R. Youn
Keyword(s):  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Mold Filling ◽  
Transverse Flow ◽  
Woven Fabrics ◽  
Weighted Averaging ◽  
Resin Flow ◽  
Flow Front ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Filling Time ◽  
Flow Through

In resin transfer molding, mold filling is governed by the flow of resin through a preform which is considered as an anisotropic porous media. The resin flow is usually described by Darcy's law and the permeability tensor must be obtained for filling analysis. When the preform is composed of more than two layers with different in-plane permeability, effective average permeability should be determined for the flow analysis in the mold. The most frequently used averaging scheme is the weighted averaging scheme, but it does not account for the transverse flow between adjacent layers. A new averaging scheme is suggested to predict the effective average permeability of the multi-layered preform, which accounts for the transverse flow effect. When the flow in the mold is unsaturated, the effective average permeability is predicted by using the predicted mold filling time and transverse permeability. The new scheme is verified by measuring the effective permeability of the multi-layered preforms which consist of glass fiber random mats, carbon fiber woven fabrics, aramid fiber woven fabrics. Fluid flow through the preform composed of more than two layers with different in-plane permeability shows different flow fronts between layers. The difference in the flow front advancement is observed with a digital camcorder. The predicted flow front is compared with the experimental results and shows a good agreement. It is expected that the effective average permeability can be used for modeling the resin flow through the multi-layered preform.

Neural Network Based Control of Preform Permeation in Resin Transfer Molding Processes With Real-Time Permeability Estimation

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Nielsen ◽  
Ranga Pitchumani
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Local Pressure ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Rtm Process ◽  
Virtual Sensing ◽  
Intelligent Model ◽  
Injection Pressures

Abstract Variabilities in the preform structure in situ in the mold are an acknowledged challenge to effective permeation control in the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. An intelligent model-based controller is developed which utilizes real-time virtual sensing of the permeability to derive optimal decisions on controlling the injection pressures at the mold inlet ports so as to track a desired flowfront progression during resin permeation. This model-based optimal controller employs a neural network-based predictor that models the flowfront progression, and a simulated annealing-based optimizer that optimizes the injection pressures used during actual control. Preform permeability is virtually sensed in real-time, based on the flowfront velocities and local pressure gradient estimations along the flowfront. Results are presented which illustrate the ability of the controller in accurately steering the flowfront for various fill scenarios and preform geometries.

Using Computer Simulation as a Process Design Tool for Resin Injection Pultrusion (RIP)

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongman Ding ◽  
Shoujie Li ◽  
L. James Lee ◽  
Herbert Engelen
Keyword(s):  
Modeling And Simulation ◽  
Process Design ◽  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Pultrusion Process ◽  
Rtm Process ◽  
Resin Impregnation ◽  
Heating Section ◽  
Resin Injection ◽  
Resin Injection Pultrusion

Abstract Resin Injection Pultrusion (RIP) is a new composite manufacturing process, which combines the advantages of the conventional pultrusion process and the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. It is sometimes referred to the Continuous Resin Transfer Molding (C-RTM) process. The RIP process differs from the conventional pultrusion process in that the resin is injected into an injection-die (instead of being placed in an open bath) in order to eliminate the emission of volatile organic compounds (styrene) (VOC) during processing. Based on the modeling and simulation of resin/fiber “pultrudability”, resin flow, and heat transfer and curing, a computer aided engineering tool has been developed for the purpose of process design. In this study, the fiber stack permeability and compressibility are measured and modeled, and the resin impregnation pattern and pressure distribution inside the fiber stack are obtained using numerical simulation. Conversion profiles in die heating section of the pultrusion die can also be obtained using the simulation tool. The correlation between the degree-of-cure profiles and the occurrence of blisters in the pultruded composite parts is discussed. Pulling force modeling and analysis are carried out to identify the effect on composite quality due to interface friction between the die surface and the moving resin/fiber mixture. Experimental data are used to verify the modeling and simulation results.

Three-dimensional simulations of the curing step in the resin transfer molding process

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Ae Choi ◽  
Mi Hye Lee ◽  
Jaeeon Chang ◽  
Seung Jong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Resin Transfer Molding ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Transfer Molding ◽  
Three Dimensional Simulations
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