Chaining of Compaction with Flow Simulations to Predict the Filling Behavior in Resin Transfer Molding Processes

Dennis Bublitz, Andreas Thalhamer, Johannes Schwöller, David Faron, David Colin, Klaus Drechsler

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Closed mold injection processes such as resin transfer molding have an increasing importance for manufacturing high quality carbon fiber reinforced parts at high production rates. One major challenge during this process is to avoid resin rich corners, which are a result of a non-uniform compaction of the preform in the tool. The objective of this work is to predict compaction defects in the preform and their effects on the filling behavior. We use numerical compaction simulations to calculate the preform geometry after tool closing, which is subsequently transferred into the infiltration simulation to model the filling behavior. Additionally, the fiber volume content and the material orientations are transferred from the mechanical simulation. Areas in the tool, which are not filled by the reinforcement, are modelled as flow channels with high permeability. The achieved results prove the significant influence of the compaction state on the filling behavior. The novel method supports the design of RTM tools and helps to optimize the manufacturing process.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMaterials Science Forum
PublisherTrans Tech Publications Ltd
Pages121-126
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Publication series

NameMaterials Science Forum
Volume1060 MSF
ISSN (Print)0255-5476
ISSN (Electronic)1662-9752

Keywords

  • Process simulation
  • carbon fiber preform
  • infiltration
  • race-tracking

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