Simulation of the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADP019439 | Open PDF

Abstract:

A process model that includes the coupled phenomenon of resin flow and preform compaction was developed and used to simulate resin infiltration of a fibrous preform using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding VARTM process. Flow of resin through the distribution medium and preform were modeled as flow through porous media. The finite elementcontrol volume method was used to calculate the infiltrating fluid pressure distribution and track the progression of the flow front. The simulation results were compared with data obtained during infiltration of a carbon fiber preform with an epoxy resin. The parameters measured include the flow front location, resin pressure, and preform thickness change. With accurate inputs, the flow front locations and resin pressure distribution can be accurately predicted. The predicted transverse displacements do not agree well with the experimental measurements. The reasons for the differences are discussed, and further investigations are recommended to develop a more accurate compaction model.

Author(s):
Song, Xiaolan ; Loos, Alfred C. ; Grimsley, Brian ; Cano, Roberto ; Hubert, Pascal
Author Organization(s):
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV AT CARBONDALE MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
Presented at the International Conference on Flow Processes in Composite Materials (7th) held in Newark, DE on 7-9 July 2004. Pub. in Proceedings of the International Conference on Flow Processes in Composite Materials (FPCM7), p333-337, Jul 2004. Prepared in cooperation with the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA; and the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This article is from ADA433173 International Conference on Flow Processes in Composite Materials Held in Newark,
Pagination:
0005

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Contract/Grant Number(s):
NCC-1-01037
Monitor Series:
NASA-L
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action
Communities of Interest:
Sensors
Descriptor(s):
*COMPRESSION, *COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION, *INFILTRATION(FLUIDS), *EPOXY RESINS, *FLUID FLOW, *FIBER REINFORCEMENT, *IMPREGNATION, *RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING, SYMPOSIA, MANUFACTURING, PROCESSING, FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS, FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES, PRODUCTION ENGINEERING, WETTING, FABRICS, RELAXATION, CARBON REINFORCED COMPOSITES, PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION, POROUS MATERIALS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Laminates and Composite Materials, Computer Programming and Software, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering and Control of Production Systems, Fluid Mechanics
Keyword(s):
*RESIN FLOW, *PREFORM COMPACTION, *VACUUM ASSISTED RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING, PREFORM THICKNESS, RESIN PRESSURE, CARBON FABRIC, VARTM(VACUUM ASSISTED RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING), COMPACTION MODELS, DISTRIBUTION MEDIA, COMPONENT REPORTS
Report Date:
2004 Jul 01
Creation Date:
2005 Jun 01