RTM工艺参数对树脂充模过程影响 的模拟与实验研究

通过开发计算机程序与有限元/控制体积分析软件,能够实现对任意复杂三维形状复合材料构件的造型和RTM工艺充模过程的模拟。研究了改变工艺参数时工字孔平板的RTM工艺模拟结果和实验结果,两者基本保持一致;证明了恒压注射情况下,充模时间与注射压力、渗透率成反比,与树脂粘度成正比;也证实了该模拟软件确实可用于预测树脂流动模式以及成型效率,为RTM实际工艺设计与优化提供了有效的技术手段。      

RTM工艺树脂注射温度优化

在RTM 工艺模拟及RTM 工艺专用树脂黏度特性研究的基础上, 提出充模时间与安全系数的乘积小于树脂低黏度平台时间的树脂注射温度优化标准和充模时间、树脂低黏度平台时间的计算方法, 制定了程序化流程并编制了软件, 使优化得以实施。在此基础上, 选取Q Y8911-Ⅳ双马树脂对所选制件进行模拟充模作为注射温度优化的实例, 确定了树脂低黏度平台时间的变化范围, 得到了不同条件下的优化注射温度。优化实例表明, 优化软件可实现对树脂注射温度的优化。      

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。     

视窗化RTM工艺充模过程模拟仿真技术研究

根据RTM工艺树脂流动充模模型,研究和开发了基于FEM/CV算法的RTM工艺复杂渗流充模过程数值模拟软件平台-BHRTM-2。BHRTM-2在视窗系统下运行,带有FEM网格捕捉器窗口可直观方便地设置注射口、溢料口和工艺参数,操作简单,能够模拟复杂边界制件的树脂流动充模过程、显示充模过程中任意时刻模腔内压力的分布场、流动前峰和预测充模时间及可能的干斑缺陷位置,为RTM工艺设计与优化提供了有效技术手段。文中对BHRTM-2的模拟结果的正确性和可靠性进行了理论与实验验证,并给出了具体算例。      

二步法三维编织变截面薄壁壳体RTM 工艺数值模拟与试验研究

采用分段-集合计算方法, 对二步法三维编织变厚度变截面薄壁壳体RTM 充模工艺过程进行了较深入的理论研究。提出了较准确的树脂流动速度、树脂充模时间和树脂流动压力计算方程。数值预测值与充模试验结果具有良好的一致性, 所推导理论方程为合理设计RTM 充模工艺参数提供了理论依据。      

RTM成型复合材料T型接头工艺参数优化与力学性能实验研究

对树脂传递模塑(RTM)成型的复合材料T型接头进行了工艺参数优化、制备及力学性能实验研究。应用流动模拟软件,对RTM成型的复合材料T型接头进行了基体流动数值模拟,确定模具最佳注射方式和出胶口位置,并优化了影响树脂充模时间的工艺参数,显著提高了RTM接头的工艺性能。根据优化工艺参数结果,制备了RTM成型的复合材料T型接头试样,并进行了拉伸和压缩试验,分析了其破坏机制。根据拉伸和压缩试验现象和结果,发现RTM成型的复合材料T型接头拉伸破坏模式主要为富树脂三角区的树脂与纤维布界面分层,其拉伸破坏主要取决于树脂基体抗剥离分层的拉伸强度;压缩破坏模式为底板中央部位的弯曲分层与折断,其压缩破坏由接头底板中的纤维布抗拉强度决定;T型接头的压缩破坏强度高于拉伸破坏强度。     

风机叶片RTM 工艺模拟分析及其优化

利用RTM 模拟仿真系统对风机叶片的RTM 充模过程进行了三维模拟, 以优化其成型工艺方案。通过比较和分析叶片根部线注射和侧面线注射两种注射方式的模拟结果, 确定侧面线注射为最佳注射方式。通过比较8 个侧面注射位置的模拟结果, 优化得到最佳的注射位置、合理的溢料口位置以及选择溢料口的依据。模拟优化的RTM 工艺方案为: 叶片侧边线注射, 注口位置在距根部500 mm 处, 3 个溢料口分布在叶片根部和尖端。实际制造中采用此方案得到了满意的产品, 模拟优化RTM 工艺大大降低了复合材料构件的制造成本, 为其他类似构件的合理制备和优化设计提供了参考依据。      

RTM工艺树脂流动过程数值模拟及实验比较

树脂充模是RTM工艺成型过程中的重要一环。研究了RTM工艺树脂流动过程的特点,建立了树脂渗流控制方程。采用贴体坐标/有限差分法模拟了树脂渗流过程,给出了不同时刻树脂流动前沿曲线及终止时刻压力场分布,计算结果与试验结果吻合良好。     

烧蚀防热复合材料用压力辅助RTM工艺

针对目前模压、缠绕等工艺成型烧蚀防热复合材料易造成层间结合差、脱粘、抗烧蚀性能差、易剥蚀等问题,提出了一种新型压力辅助RTM工艺,并对其进行了树脂充模流动模拟,制备了烧蚀防热复合材料,测试了材料的孔隙率、力学性能、烧蚀性能。结果表明:压力辅助RTM工艺具有可行性与优越性,复合材料孔隙率4.64%,层间剪切强度39.3 MPa,线烧蚀率0.017 mm/s,质量烧蚀率0.053 8 g/s。说明压力辅助RTM工艺适合成型烧蚀防热复合材料。      

穿孔泡沫夹芯复合材料灌注工艺仿真与方案优选

以穿孔泡沫夹芯复合材料为研究对象,对其真空辅助树脂灌注(VARI)工艺进行了实验研究、仿真分析和方案优选。首先,通过实验测试与数值计算分别得到穿孔夹芯结构织物与芯材孔洞的渗透率;然后,对穿孔夹芯结构灌注过程进行三维仿真模拟,并通过实尺度灌注实验验证了仿真模拟的可靠性;最后,基于验证的仿真模型进行工艺参数优选,拟合得到了灌注时间的预测模型。结果表明：数值仿真与实验值基本吻合,能较准确地模拟穿孔夹芯结构成型时的流动过程和孔隙分布;灌注时间的预测模型可用于指导实际生产;通过优化成型工艺参数可控制树脂的流动行为,达到缩短成型时间和降低构件孔隙率的目的。     

Development of adaptive injection flow rate and pressure control algorithms for resin transfer molding

To prevent dry spot formation during fabrication of composite parts by Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), a control interface and four different adaptive control algorithms have been developed and tested with numerical simulations. The interface is capable of controlling the flow pattern of resin as it fills a mold containing a preform of fiber reinforcement, provided that the mold is equipped with multiple inlet gates, a single vent and a spinal sensor system that continuously feeds the interface with the resin flow front locations along the spine lines connecting the inlet gates to the vent. Four different adaptive control algorithms targeting on injection flow rate control, injection pressure control, linearly-corrected pressure control, and the combined flow rate and linearly-corrected pressure control have been proposed and incorporated with the control interface. To provide desirable controllability of the filling process and effective utilization of the resin dispensing equipment, the final formulations were optimized by means of numerical simulations of a rectangular RTM part containing different permeability distributions. The results were compared to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the spinal adaptive control algorithms in terms of dry spot size, filling speed, and the minimum responding speed of injection pump. Finally, a complex geometry case study was conducted to validate and highlight the spinal adaptive control algorithms’ capability in handling flow disturbance for a complex RTM mold filling process which involves irregular mold geometry, multiple inserts, significant permeability and racetracking variations, and non-straight spinal sensors.     

树脂传递模塑成型工艺中嵌套效应引起渗透率变异的实验与数值模拟

树脂传递模塑成型工艺(RTM)中最重要的变形模式之一是厚度方向压缩。厚度方向压缩减小了织物预成型体的厚度,使织物预成型体局部结构形式发生改变从而引起嵌套效应。嵌套效应不仅会减少织物预成型体的厚度,增加纤维的体积分数并改变孔隙率,而且相邻织物层嵌套效应具有一定的空间分散性,从而使得织物预成型体渗透率具有变异性。本文针对低黏度树脂设计了一种实验装置用以测量局部渗透率的空间分散性,随后建立了随机嵌套单胞模型,利用ANSYS/CFX有限元软件实现了单胞填充浸润的数值模拟,通过流量分析获得局部渗透率,并研究了渗透率的统计分布。通过实验结果与数值模拟结果相对比,验证数值模拟结果的可靠性。最后,基于渗透率的统计分布建立了随机渗透率场,并进行填充浸润的数值模拟,通过与传统恒定渗透率的方法进行比较,证明该方法具有更高的先进性。研究结果可以对未来RTM工艺的稳健性优化提供依据。      

Three-dimensional process cycle simulation of composite parts manufactured by resin transfer molding

A process cycle of resin transfer molding (RTM) consists of two sequential stages, i.e. filling and curing stages. These two stages are interrelated in non-isothermal processes so that the curing stage is dominated by the resin flow as well as temperature and conversion distributions during the filling stage. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account both filling and curing stages to analyze the process cycle accurately. In this paper, a full three-dimensional process cycle simulation of RTM is performed. Full three-dimensional analysis is necessary for thick parts or parts having complex shape. A computer code is developed based on the control volume/finite element method (CV/FEM). The resulting computer code can provide information regarding flow progression and pressure field during mold filling; and temperature distribution and degree of cure distribution for a process cycle. The computer code can also be used for process cycle simulation of composite structures with complex geometry and with various molding strategies including switching injection strategy, multiple gate injection strategy and variable mold wall temperature. Numerical examples provided in the present work show the capabilities of the computer code in analyzing the process cycle.     

Optimization of Resin Infusion Processing for Composite Pipe Key-Part and K/T Type Joints Using Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding

In present study, the optimization injection processes for manufacturing the composite pipe key-part and K/T type joints in vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) were determined by estimating the filling time and flow front shape of four kinds of injection methods. Validity of the determined process was proved with the results of a scaling-down composite pipe key-part containing of the carbon fiber four axial fabrics and a steel core with a complex surface. In addition, an expanded-size composite pipe part was also produced to further estimate the effective of the determined injection process. Moreover, the resin injection method for producing the K/T type joints via VARTM was also optimized with the simulation method, and then manufactured on a special integrated mould by the determined injection process. The flow front pattern and filling time of the experiments show good agreement with that from simulation. Cross-section images of the cured composite pipe and K/T type joints parts prove the validity of the optimized injection process, which verify the efficiency of simulation method in obtaining a suitable injection process of VARTM.     

发射箱箱盖树脂传递模塑工艺有限元模拟分析

目的为了减少人力和物力资源的浪费,节约产品成本,通过有限元分析技术确定箱盖树脂传递模塑工艺(RTM)的工艺参数。方法对箱盖RTM工艺树脂流动过程进行数值模拟,对比箱盖结构在线注射-点出射和点注射-点出射工艺下,当注模压力为0.2,0.4 MPa时对应的树脂流动前锋位置和压力分布结果。结果综合成本和效率两方面因素,选择0.4 MPa作为RTM的注模压力。采用线注射-点出射工艺得到稳定的树脂流动前锋形状,能够有效预防干斑的产生。结论分析结果与实验具有较好的吻合性,能够有效指导RTM工艺中模具的设计,可降低"试错法"带来的高昂成本和低效率,对提高复合材料构件的制造水平具有明显积极作用。     

Optimum tooling design for resin transfer molding with virtual manufacturing and artificial intelligence

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is a promising fabrication method for low to medium volume, high-performance polymer composite structures. Yet there exist several technical issues which impede a wide application base. One of these issues is tooling design. In the RTM process, the arrangement of injection gates and vents of the mold has a significant impact on product quality and process efficiency. In this paper, a systematic approach for optimum design of RTM tooling is introduced. This approach is built upon an RTM virtual manufacturing (simulation) model coupled with a neural network–genetic algorithm optimization procedure. The simulation model is employed to predict resin flow patterns (i.e. potential quality problems) and processing efficiency (mold filling time). With the simulation results, a neural network is trained to create a rapid RTM process model. Genetic algorithms are applied to this rapid RTM process model to search for the optimum solution to RTM process design. This tooling design scheme enables the engineer to determine the optimum locations of injection gates and vents for the best processing performance, i.e. short filling time and high quality level (minimum defects). The approach is illustrated with an example.     

Effect of system of initiators on the process cycle of nonisothermal resin transfer molding – Numerical investigation

The role of initiators with different reactivities on the process cycle of nonisothermal resin transfer molding (RTM) was examined using the numerical simulation. A new process model was developed based on flow, heat and mass transfer equations combined with an appropriate mechanistic kinetics model which elucidates the functions of the initiators in the system. The process cycle of RTM with both single initiator and dual-initiator (combination of two initiators) was analyzed. The numerical simulations revealed that the single initiator with high reactivity reduces the cycle time, but there is a risk of incomplete mold filling and nonuniform temperature distribution. For dual-initiator system different scenarios of initiators injection including premixed initiators, switching the initiator at a given cavity filled fraction and ramped injection of highly reactive initiator were examined. It was found that the dual-initiator system leads to reduced cycle time and improved temperature distribution with no risk of incomplete filling.