夹芯结构复合材料构件VARI工艺仿真计算与成型实验

对于大尺寸夹芯结构或复杂形状夹芯结构复合材料的VARI工艺成型过程的模拟仿真计算,如果采用传统的建模方法,则建模困难,模拟仿真计算量大,效率不高。针对此问题,本文提出了一种简单方便的等效建模法。以矩形泡沫夹芯结构复合材料构件的铺层设计为基础,采用等效建模法建立了实体CAD模型和有限元网格模型,并利用PAM-RTM模拟软件对夹芯结构复合材料构件的VARI工艺成型过程进行了模拟仿真计算,结合工艺成型实验进行了实验验证,并对制品的密度、树脂含量和力学性能等进行了测试与表征。结果表明:由等效建模法仿真计算所得理论充模时间与实测充模时间基本一致,且仿真计算所得树脂流动前锋位置曲线与工艺成型实验测试值也比较吻合;VARI工艺成型对夹芯结构复合材料制品性能的分布均匀性有一定影响。     

风轮叶片树脂与成型工艺研究进展

简要介绍了当前风轮叶片复合材料成型工艺方法,对常用树脂体系进行分类和比较.并对树脂传递模塑成型工艺树脂的流动充模工艺以及固化工艺等最新进展进行了综述.     

基于混合网格方法的VARTM工艺充模仿真与实验验证

针对VARTM工艺的特点,建立了充模过程树脂流动和预成型体变形行为数学模型。提出了基于混合网格方法的VARTM充模仿真算法,在该算法中,模具型腔几何模型进行二维或三维网格划分,在每个真空袋表面单元上增加一个一维附属单元,用于在仿真过程中实时地吸收或挤出因真空袋变形而产生的局部树脂体积变化,形成混合网格仿真模型;求解过程中,对树脂流动和预成型体变形分别进行求解后,基于上述混合网格模型进行两者耦合操作,实现了仿真精度和速度的统一。搭建了VARTM充模实验平台,进行了一维充模实验,通过仿真结果与实验测量结果对比,验证了本文算法的正确性。最后,通过三维仿真算例,验证了算法对三维复杂结构和顺序浇口策略仿真的可行性。     

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。     

导流介质对真空导入模塑工艺树脂流动行为的影响

采用可视化流动实验方法研究了高渗透率导流介质对真空导入模塑工艺中树脂流动行为的影响。结果表明: 导流介质能较大幅度地减少树脂的充模流动时间, 且充模时间随着导流介质使用比例的增加而呈线性减少的关系; 导流介质的提速作用随着预成型体厚度的增加而逐渐减弱; 预成型体上下表面树脂流动前沿位置差距与预成型体厚度呈良好的线性增加关系, 说明导流介质的影响作用具有明显的厚度效应。厚度效应原理为真空导入模塑工艺过程的参数优化和保证制品质量提供了理论依据。      

嵌入加强筋的缝合泡沫夹芯结构复合材料VARTM工艺树脂充填模拟及验证

在缝合泡沫夹芯结构复合材料的泡沫中嵌入轻质的加强筋板,可以在不增加缝合密度并且在只增加较少质量的前提下,增强复合材料制品整体的强度和刚性。文中对真空辅助树脂传递模塑成型(VARTM)工艺树脂在嵌入加强筋的缝合泡沫夹芯结构复合材料预成型体中充填过程进行模拟和验证研究。采用一种矩形流道模型代替沿加强筋与泡沫空隙间的树脂流动,并对其等效渗透率及孔隙率进行计算;通过PAM-RTM软件模拟了嵌入加强筋板的缝合泡沫夹芯结构VARTM工艺的树脂充填过程,并建立了流动可视化实验装置与模拟对比,结果表明模拟与实验相当吻合。而模拟与实验的结果均表明加强筋的引入可以在局部加强树脂沿厚度方向的流动,但是会延缓树脂对整个预成型体的充填。     

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。      

泡沫夹芯结构复合材料VARI工艺模拟仿真技术研究

采用模拟仿真软件对聚氯乙烯泡沫夹芯结构复合材料矩形平板成型工艺进行了模拟分析.考察了芯材厚度、芯材的开槽方式及开槽尺寸等对树脂充模过程的影响,确定了适于工程应用的开槽方式及尺寸.     

基于VOF/PLIC界面追踪方法的RTM工艺充模过程数值模拟

针对基于Darcy定律的树脂传递模塑(RTM)工艺的充模过程数值模拟的局限性,将纤维预制体内的充填流动作为两相流(树脂相和空气相)处理,在动量方程中考虑了惯性项和粘性项,采用有限体积方法(FVM)离散控制方程,并与VOF/PLIC界面追踪方法相结合,发展了求解树脂在纤维预制体内非稳态流动问题的数值模拟方法.在此基础上开发了RTM工艺的充模过程数值模拟程序,其算例的数值模拟结果与解析解或实验结果吻合良好,验证了此数值模拟方法的有效性和可靠性.     

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。     

Finite element modeling of polymer curing in natural fiber reinforced composites

Plant-based fibers have been selected as suitable reinforcements for composites due to their good mechanical performances and environmental advantages. This paper describes the development of a simulation procedure to predict the temperature profile and the curing behavior of the hemp fiber/thermoset composite during the molding process. The governing equations for the non-linear transient heat transfer and the resin cure kinetics were presented. A general purpose multiphysics finite element package was employed. The procedure was applied to simulate one-dimensional and three-dimensional models. Experiments were carried out to verify the simulated results. Experimental data shows that the simulation procedure is numerically valid and stable, and it can provide reasonably accurate predictions. The numerical simulation was performed for a three-dimensional complex geometry of an automotive part to predict the temperature distribution and the curing behavior of the composite during the molding process.     

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.     

Simulation of the three-dimensional non-isothermal mold filling process in resin transfer molding

Numerical simulation of resin transfer molding (RTM) is known as a useful method to analyze the process before the mold is actually built. In thick parts, the resin flow is no longer two-dimensional and must be simulated in a fully three-dimensional space. This article presents numerical simulations of three-dimensional non-isothermal mold filling of the RTM process. The control volume/finite element method (CV/FEM) is used in this study. Numerical formulation for resin flow is based on the concept of nodal partial saturation at the flow front. This approach permits to include a transient term in the working equation, removing the need for calculation of time step to track the flow front in conventional scheme. In order to compare the results of the nodal partial saturation concept with the conventional method, a numerical scheme based on the quasi-steady state formulation is also presented. The computer codes developed based on both numerical formulations, allow the prediction of flow front positions; and pressure, temperature and conversion distributions in three-dimensional molds with complicated geometries. The validity of the two schemes is evaluated by comparison with analytical solutions of simple geometries. In all instances excellent agreement is observed. Numerical case studies are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed computer codes. The results show that the numerical procedure based on the nodal partial saturation concept, developed in this study, provides numerically valid and reasonably accurate predictions.     

Three-dimensional reconstruction of resin flow using capacitance sensor data assimilation during a liquid composite molding process: A numerical study

Liquid composite molding (LCM) is a method to manufacture fiber-reinforced composites, where dry fabric reinforcement is impregnated with a resin in a molding apparatus. However, the inherent process variability changes resin flow patterns during mold filling, which in turn may cause void formation. We propose a method to reconstruct three-dimensional resin flow in LCM, without embedding sensors into the composite structure. Capacitance measured from pairs of electrodes on molding tools and the stochastic simulation of resin flow during an LCM process are integrated by a sequential data assimilation method based on the ensemble Kalman filter; then, three-dimensional resin flow and permeability distribution are estimated simultaneously. The applicability of this method is investigated by numerical experiments, characterized by different spatial distributions of permeability. We confirmed that changes in resin flow caused by spatial permeability variations could be captured and the spatial distribution of permeability could be estimated by the proposed method.     

Three-Dimensional Flow Simulations for the Resin Transfer Molding Process

In resin transfer molding (RTM) a stack of fiber mats or woven rovings is laid inside the mold cavity. Then the mold is sealed and resin is injected. The computer simulation of the injection phase in resin transfer molding (RTM) can help the mold designer to position properly the injection ports and the air vents, to select an adequate injection presssure and to optimize the cycle time. The purpose of this article is to present a finite element simulation model of the filling process that can be applied to three-dimensional “thin shell” molds. An application to a subway seat is described to illustrate the various stages of the simulation     

Numerical simulation of molding-defect formation during resin transfer molding

The present study investigated a numerical simulation of molding-defect formation during resin transfer molding using boundary element method and line dynamics. The proposed method enables to simulate small molding defects by increasing the node for required position during time evolution; thereby, the method computes high-resolution flow front without being affected by the initial mesh geometry. The method was applied to the radial injection RTM with single inlet, and it was confirmed by comparison with theoretical value based on Darcy’s law that the flow advancement was computed with high accuracy. In addition, the method was also applied to the flow advancement for inclusion problem with cylinder, and four-point injection problem. The simulated flow behavior, void formation, and shrinkage agreed with the results in references. Finally, the method was compared with experiments using two-point injection problem. The computed configuration of the flow front and weld line agreed well with the experimental results.     

聚合物熔体复合挤出胀大过程的数值模拟及可恢复弹性形变分析

建立了两种聚合物熔体流经矩形流道共挤出的三维数值计算模型,采用有限元方法数值模拟了共挤出成型过程及胀大过程,得到了速度场、压力场、应力场,并利用数值计算方法得到了共挤出流动过程的可恢复弹性形变场,分析了挤出胀大率以及可恢复弹性形变的变化过程。结果表明,在共挤出流动的胀大段,共挤出界面的形状和位置发生了改变;经矩形流道共挤出得到的挤出胀大末端截面形状为不对称的鼓形;在共挤出界面附近可恢复弹性形变值存在极值,运用数值方法计算可恢复弹性形变可以对流动过程中可能存在的缺陷进行预测。