RTM工艺充填过程的动态仿真

建立了树脂传递模塑成型(RTM)工艺充模过程的数学模型,并采用有限元/控制体积法实现了对复杂薄壁构件的充填模式、压力场和速度场的动态仿真.算例表明,该法可以快速有效地描述RTM工艺的充填过程.     

编织结构复合材料RTM成型流场仿真模拟

针对航空发动机用编织结构复合材料树脂传递模塑料(RTM)成型工艺,开展了增韧树脂基体的工艺特性及编织结构预制体的渗透特性研究,并结合PAM–RTM软件对RTM成型工艺方案进行了研究,研究结果表明,1304增韧环氧树脂RTM成型的工艺窗口期仅有25 min,8步法编织结构经向渗透率远大于纬向和Z向渗透率。通过PAM–RTM软件对RTM成型树脂注射流道和工艺参数进行设计,获得了航空发动机用高韧性编织结构复合材料RTM成型工艺方法。     

先进树脂基复合材料RTM工艺的研究进展

随着复合材料的应用越来越广泛,制件产品复杂性和质量要求越来越高,逐渐衍生出多种复合材料成型工艺.而树脂传递模型(RTM)及其派生工艺是一种高质量、高精度、高效率、低成本和绿色化的闭模成型工艺.本文简要介绍了RTM成型工艺原理、RTM衍生工艺成型过程及特点、RTM工艺应用现状以及RTM用树脂的研究现状,并提出了RTM工艺...     

计算机辅助技术在RTM成型工艺中的应用

树脂基复合材料已成为四大材料体系之一。树脂传递模型传递成型(Resin Transfer Molding, RTM)工艺是一种高质量、高精度、低成本、绿色化的闭模成型工艺。随着工业信息化技术、数字化技术与工业生产的相融合,计算机辅助技术能够快速地模拟出树脂在预成型体中的浸润状态、充模时间、压力分布及缺陷等情况,为RTM优化流道设计、工艺参数提供了设计依据和设计参考,降低制造成本,提高生产效率。本文简要地介绍了计算机辅助技术适用于RTM仿真的数学模型,预成型坯的渗透率测量现状及基于PAM-RTM、RTM-Worx等RTM仿真软件的应用现状,最后提出计算机辅助技术在RTM成型工艺中进一步发展函待解决的问题。     

先进树脂基复合材料RTM成型工艺研究及应用进展

复合材料的成型工艺是改进并提升先进树脂基复合材料性能的关键,而树脂传递模塑(RTM)成型工艺是一种环保高效、成本低、高精度的闭模成型工艺。概述并分析了传统RTM成型工艺过程及优缺点,并对高压树脂传递模塑成型(HPRTM)、轻质树脂传递模塑成型(LRTM)、真空辅助树脂灌注工艺(VARTM)、西门(Seeman)树脂浸渍技术(SCRIM P)等RTM衍生成型工艺的研究进展与应用进行了介绍分析。     

高性能复合材料树脂传递膜技术(RTM)研究

树脂传递模塑法（RTM）是一种低成本、效益好的复合材料成型工艺。研究了RTM用树脂体系、预成型技术、成型模具、成型工艺以及RTM在航空航天领域的应用。     

复合材料RTM成型工艺参数的研究

对树脂传递模塑(RTM)成型工艺进行了具体的研究,对所得制品进行了力学性能测试,并研究分析了不同注胶温度和注胶压力对制品力学性能的影响.证明了RTM工艺过程中注胶压力越小,树脂对纤维的浸润也越充分,制品的力学性能也相应的较好.提高注胶温度在使树脂粘度降低的同时也不利于RTM工艺的排气,从而影响制品的力学性能.     

RTM树脂材料及其辅助成型工艺研究进展

简要介绍RTM工艺的成型原理,详细介绍用于RTM的新型树脂及改性树脂材料的研究进展情况、各种RTM辅助成型的工艺进展情况,并展望RTM技术在航天航空等领域的应用。     

复合材料RTM成型工艺综述

本文主要是综述RTM成型工艺的基本原理、工艺特点,讨论了适于RTM的增强材料和树脂休系并讨论了工艺参数对RTM模制品质量的影响以及RTM在成型三维复合材料方面的应用。     

耐压夹芯复合板制备工艺

介绍了一种耐压夹芯复合板的穿纱及树脂传递模塑(RTM)制备方法,选用橡胶为芯材,复合材料为蒙皮,通过RTM成型方法制备,研究了穿纱工艺及RTM工艺参数对制品的影响。结果表明,通过穿纱增强的RTM成型制品不仅表观质量良好,且具有优异的界面粘结性能,实现了承载吸声结构功能一体化设计,适用于深水压力环境。     

Resin transfer molding process optimization using numerical simulation and design of experiments approach

The art of resin transfer molding (RTM) process optimization requires a clear understanding of how the process performance is affected by variations in some important process parameters. In this paper, maximum pressure and mold filling time of the RTM process are considered as characteristics of the process performance to evaluate the process design. The five process parameters taken into consideration are flow rate, fiber volume fraction, number of gates, gate location, and number of vents. An integrated methodology was proposed to investigate the effects of process prameters on maximum pressure and mold filling time and to find the optimum processing conditions. The method combines numerical simulation and design of experiments (DOE) approach and is applied to process design for a cylindrical composite part. Using RTM simulation, a series of numerical experiments were conducted to predict maximum pressure and mold filling time of the RTM process. A half‐fractional factorial design was conducted to identify the significant factors in the RTM process. Furthermore, the empirical models and sensitivity coefficients for maximum pressure and mold filling time were developed. Comparatively close agreements were found among the empirical approximations, numerical simulations, and actual experiments. These results were further utilized to find the optimal processing conditions for the example part.     

Nonisothermal simulation on pressure during resin transfer molding

High speed injection has been widely used in resin transfer molding (RTM), which improves manufacturing efficiency. This sometimes leads to excessive pressure within the mold, resulting in fiber destruction and mold deformation. Heating the mold and injection resin reduces the viscosity of resin, leading to influence on mold internal pressure. Selection of optimal mold and injection temperature for effective reduction of mold internal pressure has become a source of concern in the polymer industry. This article presents an outlook relationship between mold temperature, injection temperature, and mold internal pressure. It also showcases a temperature selection method angle to addressing this issue. The “FLUENT” software has been secondarily developed that gives an insight in using the three-dimensional nonisothermal RTM simulation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47492.     

On a pure finite-element-based methodology for resin transfer molds filling simulations

A physically accurate and computationally effective pure finite-element-based methodology for Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process simulations is presented. The formulations are developed starting with the time-dependent mass conservation equation for the resin flow. Darcy's flow approximations are invoked for the velocity field, thereby forming a transient governing equation involving the pressure field and the resin saturation fill factor which tracks the location of the resin front surface. Finite element approximations are then introduced for both the fill factor and the pressure field, and the resulting transient discrete equations are solved in an iterative manner for both the pressures and the fill factors for tracking the progression of the resin front in an Eulerian mold cavity. The formulation involves only a pure finite-element Eulerian mesh discretization of the mold cavity and does not require specification of control volume regions and has no time increment restrictions that exist as in the traditional explicit finite-element-control volume based formulations. The present formulations accurately account for and capture the physical transient nature of the mold-filling process while maintaining improved numerical and computational attributes. Mold-filling simulations involving various geometrically complex mold configurations are presented, demonstrating the applicability of the developments for practical manufacturing process simulations.     

Enhancement of resin transfer molding using articulated tooling

Mold articulation is introduced in this concept for resin transfer molding (RTM) to increase mold fill times and potentially allow for the use of high viscosity, hot melt resin systems, or thermoplastics. Following a brief review of conventional RTM and a discussion of the limitations on the factors that control fluid flow through porous media, the articulated concept is described. This is followed by an explanation of the sequence of motion of an articulated segmented mold necessary for consolidation, void removal and accelerated fluid flow through a fibrous preform. An analysis of the process using a fiber preform with orthotropic permeability is outlined from which mold fill time is obtained. This is compared with conventional RTM mold fill times using typical resin properties and fiber volume fractions. For the conservative assumptions used, an improvement by a factor of ten in mold fill time is achieved using the articulated process relative to conventional RTM.     

Flow channels/fiber impregnation studies for the process modeling/analysis of complex engineering structures manufactured by resin transfer molding

The success of resin transfer molding (RTM) depends upon the complete wetting of the fiber preform. Effective mold designs and process modifications facilitating the improved impregnation of the preform have direct impact on the successful manufacturing of parts. Race tracking caused by variations in permeabilities around bends, corners in liquid composite molding (LCM) processes such as RTM have been traditionally considered undesirable, while related processes such as vacuum assisted RTM (VARTM) and injection molding have employed flow channels to improve the resin distribution. In this paper, studies on the effect of flow channels are explored for RTM through process simulation studies involving flow analysis of resin, when channels are involved. The flow in channels has been modeled and characterized based on equivalent permeabilities. The flow in the channels is taken to be Darcian as in the fiber preform, and process modeling and simulation tools for RTM have been employed to study the flow and pressure behavior when channels are involved. Simulation studies based on a flat plate indicated that the pressures in the mold are reduced with channels, and have been compared with experimental results and equivalent permeability models. Experimental comparisons validate the reduction in pressures with channels and validate the use of equivalent permeability models. Numerical simulation studies show the positive effect of the channels to improve flow impregnation and reduce the mold pressures. Studies also include geometrically complex parts to demonstrate the positive advantages of flow channels in RTM.     

Three-dimensional nonisothermal mold filling simulations in resin transfer molding

The manufacture of polymer composites through the process of resin transfer molding (RTM) involves the impregnation of the reactive polymer resing into a mold with preplaced fibrous reinforcements. Determination of RTM processing conditions requires the understanding of various parameters, such as material properties, mold geometry, and mold filling conditions. Modeling of the entire RTM process provides a tool for analyzing the relationship of the important parameters. This study developed a nonisothermal 3-D computer simulation model for the mold filling process of RTM based on the control volume finite element method. The model will be able to simulate mold filing in molds with complicated 3-D geometry. Results of some numerical studies in RTM show the applications of the proposed model.     

The effect of microwave resin preheating on the quality of laminates produced by resin transfer molding

Cycle times in resin transfer molding (RTM) of an unsaturated polyester have been reduced significantly using an in-line microwave resin preheating system. Microwave preheating lowers the resin viscosity during injection and modifies the thermal age of the resin, potentially influencing the quality of RTM laminates. The tensile properties of RTM laminates have been measured with regard to improved fiber wet-out by the lower viscosity resin. Degree of cure measurements have been included to establish the effect of microwave preheating on resin conversion within the laminate. Local pressure that develops within the mold during the cure phase can lead to mold deflections. Variations in the laminate thickness associated with these deflections are presented, and the use of microwave resin preheating to reduce these variations is discussed.     

Optimization method to select temperature based on chemorheological and exothermal reaction of RTM

Heating mold and resin have been widely used in resin transfer molding (RTM) to improve injection and manufacturing efficiency. The unreasonable mold/resin temperatures sometimes lead to excessive viscosity of resin and premature curing, which will result in failure of the filling process. Selection of optimal mold and resin temperature has become a source of concern in the polymer industry. This article presents an optimization method to select mold and injection resin temperatures by using numerical simulation based on chemorheological and exothermal reaction of the RTM process. The results show that the optimization method has high computational efficiency for three-dimensional parts with different shapes. The selected mold/resin temperature ensures the smooth filling process, which provides a powerful tool for parameter design in polymer industry. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48245.     

Development of resin transfer molding process using scaling down strategy

The virtually developed resin transfer molding (RTM) manufacturing process for the large and complex composite part can be validated easily with the trial experiments on the scaled down mold. The scaling down strategy was developed using Darcy's law from the comparisons of mold fill time and mold fill pattern between full‐scale product and scaled down prototype. From the analysis, it was found that the injection pressure used in the scaled down mold should be the full‐scale injection pressure by the times of square of geometrical scale down factor, provided the identical injection strategy and raw material parameters were applied on both the scales. In this work, the RTM process was developed using process simulations for a large and complex high‐speed train cab front and it was validated by conducting experiments using a geometrically scaled down mold. The injection pressure as per the scaling down strategy was imposed on the scale downed high‐speed train cab front mold and a very close agreement was observed between the flow fronts of experimental and simulated results, which validates the scaling down strategy and the virtually developed RTM process for the full‐scale product. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1683–1689, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Sensitivity analysis on resin transfer molding processes with edge effect and curing reaction characteristics

The mold filling time and resin flow front shape are of fundamental importance during resin transfer molding (RTM) processes, because the former influences productivity and the latter affects composites quality. In this article, considering both edge effect and curing reaction characteristics of the resin flow process, the sensitivity analysis method is introduced to investigate the sensitive degree of mold filling time and resin flow front shape to the key material and processing parameters. The function employed to describe the resin flow front shape is defined, and the mathematical relationships of the key physical parameters, such as fluid pressure sensitivity, flow velocity sensitivity, mold filling time sensitivity, and resin flow front shape sensitivity, are established simultaneously. In addition, then the resin infiltration process is simulated by means of a semi‐implicit iterative calculation method and the finite volume method. The simulated results are in agreement with the analytical ones. The results show that under constant injection velocity conditions, both the change in the resin temperature and the alteration of the inlet velocity hardly affect the resin flow front shape, whereas the influence of edge permeability on the resin flow front shape is the greatest. This study is helpful for designing and optimizing RTM processes. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2008–2016, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineer