VIMP中结构拐角对纤维预成型体渗透特性的影响

采用真空导入模塑工艺(VIMP)制备纤维增强聚合物基复合材料多墙结构件时,多墙体拐角处的纤维弯曲变形可能导致多墙体局部渗透特性发生变化。通过可视化流动实验考察了拐角对多墙体渗透特性和树脂流动行为的影响。结果表明:无论是否使用导流介质,多墙体中的拐角对树脂流体在VIMP灌注过程中都具有局部阻力作用,降低了树脂充模流动速度和多墙体整体表观渗透率,即存在拐角效应;拐角处铺放导流介质能有效降低拐角效应;随着拐角到注胶口的距离增大,整体表观渗透率表现为先下降后上升。     

VARTM工艺中高渗透导流介质对树脂充填行为的影响

采用可视化流动实验装置,系统研究了高渗透导流介质对真空辅助树脂传递模塑(VARTM)工艺中树脂充填流动行为的影响。实验结果表明,高渗透导流介质只覆盖部分纤维增强体时,铺放在靠注胶端导流效果明显,铺放在靠抽气端导流效果很弱;高渗透导流介质铺放在纤维增强体顶、中和底面任何位置,都会起到良好的导流效果,尤其是铺放在纤维增强体底面时导流效果最好;随着高渗透导流介质层数增加,对树脂充填的导流作用就越好;随着纤维增强体层数的增多,完成充填所需时间就越长,这表明高渗透导流介质导流效果受到增强体厚度的影响。     

基于FEPG有限元分析系统的树脂充模过程模拟

为优化复杂预成型体结构的液体成型工艺,基于有限元法/生死节点法模拟了复合材料液体模塑成型过程树脂流动,并针对典型矩形平板、圆板结构、I型加筋壁板充模过程进行了仿真与验证。结果表明:典型矩形平板和圆板结构的充模过程模拟结果与理论解一致性较好,验证了生死节点法跟踪树脂流动前锋的有效性。含有方腔的变厚度圆柱体和正方体三维实体结构的充模过程模拟验证了有限元方法对三维结构的适用性。基于有限元法/生死节点法的液体充模过程模拟方法对于复杂求解区域具有更好适应性,可用于复杂实体结构的液体模塑成型工艺过程树脂流动规律预测、指导模具设计及工艺优化。      

真空辅助成型工艺中预成型体的厚度变化与过流控制

采用无接触式电涡流位移传感系统, 对真空辅助成型工艺中预成型体的厚度变化进行了实时监测。揭示了该成型工艺过程中预成型体的厚度变化规律, 并考察了树脂过流控制时间对制件厚度与纤维体积含量的影响。结果表明, 在整个工艺过程中预成型体的厚度变化可分为三个阶段: 在树脂浸入后, 预成型体厚度迅速增加; 在树脂过流控制阶段, 预成型体厚度变化较小且保持在较高水平; 在树脂管关闭后, 预成型体厚度迅速下降并逐渐趋于稳定。制件厚度与树脂过流控制时间的变化关系类似于正弦曲线, 在树脂过流控制时间约为10 min时, 纤维体积分数最低, 较无过流控制降低1.7%; 在树脂过流控制时间约为40 min时, 纤维体积分数最高, 较无过流控制提高1.6%。     

新型导流介质对树脂流动行为及复合材料性能的影响

研究了新型导流介质在树脂的流动特性,采用真空辅助树脂传递模塑工艺(VARTM),对用新型导流介质和聚乙烯导流介质成型的复合材料的力学性能和抗弹性能进行比较。结果表明,3层叠加的新型导流介质的流动能力与聚乙烯导流介质的相当,新型导流介质存在于复合材料中,对复合材料整体的力学性能和抗弹性能没有大的影响,说明新型导流介质不会影响复合材料的界面性能。     

真空导入模塑工艺纤维预成型体弹性回复效应的实验研究

通过监测真空导入模塑工艺(Vacuum infusion molding process,VIMP)树脂面内渗流和面外(Z向)渗流时纤维预成型体的厚度和纤维体积分数变化,考察纤维预成型体的弹性回复效应规律,揭示弹性回复效应对复合材料力学性能的影响规律。结果表明,面内渗流时首先出现弹性滞后现象,随后在弹性回复效应作用下厚度迅速增大并出现一个峰值,然后进入再平衡过程,再平衡过程削弱了预成型体各处厚度的差异。面内渗流时注胶口处厚度增幅较大,真空口处厚度增幅较小,厚度的增加降低了纤维的体积分数。采用面内渗流注胶方式制备的层合板,在注胶口处其纵向拉伸强度和拉伸模量较小,在真空口处其值较大。Z向渗流弹性回复效应曲线出现滞后平台和滞后斜台,且弹性回复对厚度的影响较面内渗流时大得多。     

真空导入模塑工艺纤维预成型体厚度变化和流体压力变化研究进展

纤维预成型体厚度控制问题是真空导入模塑工艺(Vacuum infusion molding process,VIMP)面临的主要挑战之一。综述了国内外关于纤维预成型体压实回弹特性和渗透率特性的研究进展,介绍了VIMP工艺在一维线性流动和二维径向流动时厚度变化的理论模型,分析了流体压力特性方程的求解、流体压力场的分布和流体压力对厚度的影响,指出了Correia推导过程中存在的问题并进行了修正,总结了厚度变化对VIMP工艺及复合材料制品的影响,并对VIMP工艺厚度变化的理论研究和工艺控制进行了展望。     

缝合夹层结构复合材料树脂传递模塑成型工艺充模仿真

对复合材料与金属经缝合连接形成的夹层结构板的树脂传递模塑成型（RTM）工艺进行了充模模拟研究。首先通过实验和数值计算的方法,分别获得缝合夹层结构织物和芯层孔洞的渗透率;随后,建立能够反映缝孔内流动情况的二维和三维简化模型,进行RTM充模仿真,讨论不同工艺参数对成型流动的影响;最后通过成型实验验证工艺的可行性。缝线与孔洞直径之比为0.3~0.8时,孔洞渗透率随缝线直径的增大而减小,预制体织物渗透率与孔洞渗透率相差两个数量级;缝孔内容易产生缺陷,没有缺陷的区域随着注射压力的增加、孔洞密度和芯层厚度的减小而增大,在芯层表面沿每排孔洞单向开槽能够改善树脂在孔洞内的浸润;线注射时,树脂整体流动情况优于点注射,而点注射时,将进胶口设置在一角,能够减少表面干斑。     

树脂膜熔渗工艺浸渍过程的模拟与分析

针对树脂膜熔渗(RFI)成型工艺过程中充模阶段树脂在预制件中的流动行为进行分析,根据牛顿流体在多孔介质中的渗流理论,在Darcy定律基础上使用有限元控制体技术建立二维等温流动控制方程,再对试验件进行几何建模和网格剖分,使用C++语言编写模拟成型工艺中树脂流动过程的程序。由计算实例可见,该方法能够很好地预测树脂浸渍过程中浸渍时间与预浸高度的关系,并确定流动前沿及模腔中的压力的变化规律。     

缝合参数对缝合泡沫夹芯结构复合材料VARTM工艺树脂充模的影响

对不同缝合参数的缝合泡沫夹芯结构复合材料真空辅助树脂传递模塑成型(VARTM)工艺进行数值模拟,研究了针距、行距、缝针直径、芯板厚度及纤维面板厚度等缝合参数对缝合泡沫夹芯结构复合材料VARTM工艺树脂流动充填的影响。结果表明,改变缝合行距对树脂的流动充填速度影响不大,缝合行距越大,树脂在下层纤维面板流动的同步性越差,制品出现空隙及干斑的可能性越大;缝合针距越小,树脂完成充填的时间越长;分别增加缝针直径和泡沫芯板的厚度,树脂完成充填时间呈线性增长,缝针直径越大,下层纤维面板树脂浸润效果越好;纤维面板厚度增加,树脂完成充填的时间变长,且相对于其他缝合参数,纤维面板厚度对树脂流动充填时间影响最大;缝合针距、泡沫芯板的厚度及纤维面板的厚度都不影响树脂在下层纤维面板的浸润效果。     

In-plane permeability characterization of the vacuum infusion processes with fiber relaxation

In vacuum infusion processes fiber preforms are placed onto the single molding surface and enveloped with a non-rigid polymer bag which is sealed to the molding surface. The flexible bagging film does deform during the resin infusion process thus changing the compaction of the fabric. However, one can also relax the preform by drawing a partial vacuum in a rigid chamber placed on top of the flexible bag which will increase the permeability of the fabric under the chamber. A numerical model is presented to characterize the change in permeability and describe the mold filling for such processes in which the fabrics undergo controlled relaxation by external stimuli. The predictions from the simplified model agreed reasonably well with the experiments. This characterization and resin flow front prediction with time method should prove useful in processes such as Vacuum Induced Preform Relaxation (VIPR) process which can be used to actively manipulate flow in a vacuum infusion process.     

A numerical study of filling process through multilayer preforms in resin injection/compression molding

In resin injection/compression molding (RI/CM), a preform often comprises layers of different fiber reinforcements. Each fiber reinforcement has unique through thickness and in-plane permeabilities as well as compressibility, creating a heterogeneous porous medium in the mold cavity. In the present article, numerical simulation is utilized to investigate the filling process of RI/CM in such a heterogeneous porous medium. The filling stage is simulated in a full three-dimensional space by using control volume/finite element method and based upon an appropriate filling algorithm. The flow in the open gap which may be present in the mold cavity is modeled by Darcy’s law using an equivalent permeability. Numerical simulations of filling process for preforms containing two and three layers of different reinforcements in various stacking sequences are conducted with the aid of computer code developed in this study. Results show that the injection time as well as flow front progression depends on fiber types in the whole preform, fiber stacking sequence and open gap provided in the mold cavity. Simulated results also suggest that the presence of open gap at top of reinforcement can lead to both low injection time and uniform flow pattern.     

Mechanical properties of composite structures fabricated with the vacuum induced preform relaxation process

A new technique called vacuum induced preform relaxation (VIPR) can be used to improve the processing of composite parts manufactured using vacuum resin infusion methods. The VIPR process is a method for manipulating and guiding the resin filling pattern during a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) manufacturing process with a relatively small external vacuum chamber. This VIPR chamber can be sealed against the flexible molding surface of a VARTM mold and used to create vacuum above the preform. This causes the compressive forces compacting the fabric to decrease allowing the resin to flow faster in the effected region under the chamber. Thus the chamber can influence the resin flow pattern as well as avoid the formation of voids due to merging flow fronts. When the regulated vacuum in the chamber is applied it temporarily decreases the fiber volume fraction of the preform. It is important to investigate if this relaxation has a permanent adverse effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. The results of these tests strongly suggest that the use of the VIPR process does not compromise the mechanical properties of composite structures.     

Post-filling flow in vacuum assisted resin transfer molding processes: Theoretical analysis

For rigid mold filling processes such as resin transfer molding, the resin flow stops when the preform is fully saturated with the resin. However, in vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process (VARTM), due to preform deformation the resin flow continues after the filling stage is complete as it does take a finite time for the pressure field to become uniform during this post-filling period. In this paper, the post-filling flow in the VARTM process with and without the membrane is examined. The governing equations for post-filling flow, in which the preform is allowed to deform, are developed with simplifying assumptions. A one-dimensional flow and deformation coupled process model is developed to simulate the time dependent pressure distribution during the post-filling stage. The model is implemented using finite differences, both in time and space, and utilizes the explicit time integration which is found to be conditionally stable. The change in pressure inside the mold during the post-filling stage is predicted for three different injection scenarios. The influence of the pressure distribution at the end of filling on the dwell time for the pressure to equilibrate and on the final thickness of the part is discussed. The effects of change in preform permeability and compliance on the dwell time and thickness are demonstrated and the extension of the model to more complex geometries and systems is outlined.     

Mathematical Analysis of Resin Flow through Fibrous Porous Media

Resin flow through fiber preforms was analyzed mathematically. Closed form solutions for fiber volume fraction distribution and pressure field during resin infusion into fiber preforms were suggested, and a new effective permeability was defined. The effect of preform compressibility on the fiber volume fraction and pressure distributions in resin-saturated region was investigated analytically. The findings show that the compaction behavior of preforms has significant impact on the resin infusion process. The solutions derived analytically in this study can provide insight into a liquid composites molding (LCM) process.     

Measurement of transverse permeability using gaseous and liquid flow

Accurate measurement of transverse permeability is important for processes such as resin film infusion and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. In these liquid composite molding processes the out-of-plane flow is dominant and thus the transverse permeability is needed for flow prediction. This paper introduces an apparatus to measure saturated permeability for fibrous preforms using both gaseous and liquid flow. The setup creates a uniform one-dimensional flow through-the-thickness of the reinforcement by integrating a high permeability layer on the mold surfaces. A wide range of permeability as a function of fiber volume fraction can be measured in one experiment while applying a known load under a hydraulic testing machine. The system has been designed using process simulation. The measurements using the gaseous medium are comparable to the saturated fluid flow results. The measurement system can also be used to measure changes in dry fabric permeability prior to infusion due to debulking or application of binders on the fabric surface.     

A Two-layer Model for the Simulation of the VARTM Process with Resin Distribution Layer

Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is one of the important processes to fabricate high performance composites. In this process, resin is drawn into the mold to impregnate the fiber reinforcement to a form composite. A resin distribution layer with high permeability was often introduced on top of the fiber reinforcement to accelerate the filling speed. Due to the difference of the flow resistance in the resin distribution layer and the reinforcement as well as the resulting through thickness transverse flow, the filling flow field is intrinsically three-dimensional. This study developed a two-layer model with two-dimensional formulation to simulate the filling flow of the VARTM process with a resin distribution layer. Two-dimensional flow was considered in each layer and a transverse flow in the thickness direction was estimated between the two layers. Thermal analysis including the transverse convection was also performed to better simulate the temperature distribution.     

沟槽型真空注射成型工艺的研究

真空注射成型工艺是一种新型的复合材料液体模塑成型工艺,对沟槽型真空注射成型工艺开展了实验研究,通过充模实验确定了引流槽的宽度、深度和槽间距及主槽的槽间距等工艺参数并进行了优化;对影响充模过程的各种因素进行了详细的讨论,并以夹芯面板的制作实例阐述了沟槽型真空注射成型的工艺过程。