树脂膜熔渗工艺充模过程的模拟与分析

树脂膜熔渗工艺(RFI)是一种新型的复合材料成型工艺.为了更深入了解树脂膜熔渗工艺过程中充模阶段的控制参数对制品质量的影响,避免制品出现空斑、充模不完全等问题,针对该工艺过程中树脂在复杂形状预制件中的流动行为进行了分析,在达西定律基础上建立了二维等温流动控制方程,利用有限元/控制体方法建立了数值分析模型,编制了FORTRAN程序进行模拟运算,并讨论了流动过程中施加的压力对充模时间的影响.由计算实例可见,所编制程序能够很好地预测树脂膜熔渗工艺过程中充模时间、各个时刻树脂的流动前沿位置及模腔中的压力分布.     

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。      

A numerical simulation of the resin film infusion process

A numerical analysis was conducted for the resin film infusion (RFI) process using semi-cured thermosetting resin films. Mathematical models were developed for the compression of fiber and the viscosity of resin. The force balance between the fiber preform and the resin was considered to account for the deformation of fiber preform and the swell of fiber during the infusion. In an effort to locate the optimal process conditions such as the mold temperature, the fiber volume fraction, and the infusion pressure, a parametric study was carried out for the progression of resin and the infusion time for different process conditions. The numerical code developed in this study was found to be useful in determining the maximum height of vertical sections that can be infused by squeezing the liquefied resin film from the base panel.     

Variation of part thickness and compaction pressure in vacuum infusion process

In vacuum infusion (VI), it is difficult to manufacture a composite part with small dimensional tolerances, since the thickness of the part changes during resin injection. This change of thickness is due to the effect of varying compaction pressure on the upper mold part, a vacuum bag. In this study, random fabric layers with an embedded core distribution medium is used. The thickness of the composite part and resin pressure are monitored using multiple dial gages and pressure transducers; the results are compared with the model developed by Correia et al. [Correia NC, Robitaille F, Long AC, Rudd CD, Simacek P, Advani SG. Analysis of the vacuum infusion molding process: I. Analytical formulation. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 26, 2005. p. 1645–1656]. To use this model, two material characteristics databases are constructed based on the process parameters: (i) the thickness of a dry/wet fabric preform at different compaction pressures, and (ii) the permeability of the preform at different thicknesses. The dry-compacted preform under vacuum is further compacted due to fiber settling in wet form after resin reaches there; the part thickens afterwards as the resin pressure increases locally. The realistic model solution can be achieved only if the compaction characterization experiments are performed in such a way that the fabric is dry during loading, and wet during unloading, as in the actual resin infusion process. The model results can be used to design the process parameters such as vacuum pressure and locations of injection and ventilation tubes so that the dimensional tolerances can be kept small.     

复合材料带筋壁板预成型体压缩性与渗透性对树脂流动的影响

以航空碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料典型结构件带筋壁板为研究对象,通过对U3160单向织物的组织结构进行分析,根据纤维束的受压变形状态对其压缩响应进行理论建模,然后以纤维束压缩模型为基础,预测了U3160单向织物按0°/45°/90°/-45°铺层时预成型体在压缩应力作用下厚度变化的响应行为。建立了压缩应力作用下纤维预成型体的渗透率解析模型:在织物压缩模型的基础上,建立了纤维束等效渗透率模型;根据张量理论,分别建立了0°、±45°和90°铺层织物等效渗透率模型;运用渗透介质串并联关系,建立了带筋壁板各特征区域渗透率综合表征模型。基于PAM-RTM流动模拟软件,进行分区渗透率定义,在充模过程中对树脂在带筋壁板预成型体中的流动行为进行模拟,优化工艺参数,确定出最终充模方案,并制作带筋壁板实验缩比件进行成型实验,验证了充模方案的合理性。研究结果为制件的成功制作提供理论依据,从而指导生产实践。      

Sizing related kinetic and flow considerations in the resin infusion of composites

Fibres used in preforms of resin transfer moulded (RTM) composites are coated with sizings, binders, and/or finishes that serve multiple purposes, including facilitating handling, protection of the fibres from compaction and process induced damage (including notching), aiding in compatibility and wetting of the fibres by the resin, and overall enhancement of the behavioural response of the composites. In this investigation four different sizings applied to S2 glass fibres are shown to significantly affect two aspects of RTM processing - resin infusion, and cure. In both cases phenomena at the microscopic level are seen to affect response variables at the macroscopic level. On a microscopic level, the behaviour of a thermosetting resin based composite is affected by the formation of interphase regions that greatly affect the cure kinetics and hence the mechanical and physical properties of the composite, which are dependent on the inter-constituent variations in local properties such as modulus and glass transition temperature. Similarly fibre-sizing-resin interactions occurring during the infusion stage affect wet-out and local flow behaviour through the development of stoichiometric imbalances in local regions. It is shown that the molecular interactions between the constituents (as initiated by the sizing) are affected by processing conditions such as temperature and rate of resin flow, and that heat evolution and resin rheology may be affected by the stoichiometric imbalances resulting from interphasial level reactions. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fiber optic sensors for monitoring flow in vacuum enhanced resin infusion technology (VERITy) process

Today, with cost becoming a very important factor, alternate processes for manufacturing composite structures, wherein the cost can be reduced but having similar properties to prepreg systems are being explored. National Aerospace Laboratories, India is developing the VERITy process, which is essentially a hybridization of the VARTM and the autoclave moulding process. One of the concerns in this process, especially when making large integrated co-cured structures with varying thickness, is the knowledge of the resin flow front location at all times. A network of flow-sensors, which could provide information on the flow front location, would be very useful. This paper discusses the experimental studies carried out towards the development of a flow-sensor in the optical domain to determine the presence of resin qualitatively. Three different approaches have been attempted to detect the arrival of the resin flow front and these results are presented.     

真空导入模塑工艺树脂体系化学流变特性及流变模型

采用DSC热分析技术和黏度实验方法,研究了真空导入模塑工艺专用不饱和聚酯树脂体系(Palatal1777-G-4)的固化特性和化学流变特性,建立和对比了树脂体系的修正双阿累尼乌斯流变模型和工程黏度模型,并依据所建立的流变模型预报 Palatal1777-G-4树脂体系的真空导入模塑工艺操作窗口。对比结果表明：修正双阿累尼乌斯流变模型和工程黏度模型分别能较好地反映树脂体系凝胶点前的低黏度平台特性和凝胶点后的黏度变化规律,结合两模型可有效模拟树脂体系在不同工艺条件下的黏度行为,准确预报树脂体系的低黏度平台工艺窗口,为优化真空导入模塑工艺参数和保证制品质量提供科学依据。模型预测结果表明,Palatal1777-G-4 树脂体系在20～38℃温度范围内满足真空导入模塑工艺操作的基本要求,黏度低于300 mPa·s的工艺操作时间长于30 min。     

Dynamic saturation curve measurement for resin flow in glass fibre reinforcement

A methodology is presented to determine the saturation curve of a resin/glass fabric system, during infiltration in a transparent mould under constant flow rate. Video acquisitions are transformed by image analysis into saturation level versus position and time, and coupled to inlet pressure measurements. A numerical multiphase flow model is then used to simulate the infiltration for various combinations of drainage curve parameters. The numerical parameters to describe the saturation and relative permeability are determined by response surface optimization. The drainage curve and relative permeability equations determined at one time are shown to adequately describe the entire injection process, and to be flow-rate dependent.     

A resin film infusion process for manufacture of advanced composite structures

This paper reports work conducted at the CRC-ACS for the manufacture of advanced composite structural demonstrators using a resin film infusion (RFI) process. The influences of a number of processing parameters on the quality of cured parts are discussed. A number of demonstrators are presented including an aileron skin panel, swaged wing rib and 3-bay aft-box structure. These demonstrators indicate the cost-effectiveness of the RFI process for manufacture of advanced composite structures.     

Analysis of pressure profile and flow progression in the vacuum infusion process

New experimental set-ups are presented for measuring the pressure profile and fill-times in the Vacuum Infusion (VI) process. In these set-ups, the injection can either be from one of the mould faces (resulting in a rectilinear flow) or from a central port (resulting in a radial flow). From these measurements, the validity of previously reported analytical formulations is investigated. At the start of injection, the experimental results show a marked difference from analytical predictions. However, with flow progression, they change to match with analytical predictions. This phenomenon has not been observed previously and its analysis enhances the current understanding of the process physics, mainly the impact of compliance on the reinforcement thickness and flow progression.     

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%。     

Out-of-autoclave cure cycle study of a resin film infusion process using in situ process monitoring

Liquid resin infusion (LRI) of textile tailored reinforcements (TRs) is increasingly applied in new processing technologies for manufacturing carbon fibre composites. This work presents a cure cycle study of an out-of-autoclave toughened resin film infusion (RFI) process as part of the examination of an alternative manufacturing process for composites. To successfully produce laminates using resin film infusion in combination with a fast-curing process, the flow behaviour of the selected resin material under changed processing conditions was investigated. The effect of processing parameters, specifically heating rates and dwell times, on resin viscosity and laminate infiltration was evaluated through experimental work and supported by in situ process monitoring. A DC-resistance sensor system was applied to track the change in resin viscosity during cure. Results showed that cure cycles with a relatively short dwell time and higher heating rate compared to an autoclave cure led to enhanced flow properties of the toughened resin system. High quality laminates, comparable to autoclave panels, were manufactured with vacuum pressure only by modifying the original vacuum bagging arrangement.     

RTM工艺中树脂固化温度与介电性能

RTM为闭模成型工艺, 难以观察到模腔内树脂的充模与固化反应过程。利用介电分析仪对RTM工艺进行在线监测, 测得了树脂固化过程中不同模具温度下树脂反应的温度及离子导电率、 不同纤维含量条件下的介电常数以及不同纤维织物方式下的离子导电率。实验结果表明: 固化反应放热使复合材料局部温度升高, 并形成复杂的温度梯度分布; 在较高温度和较低纤维含量条件下, 离子导电率变化较快, 对树脂固化反应的影响较大; 不同织物方式的玻璃纤维对离子导电率也有一定的影响, 玻璃纤维复合毡比方格布影响大。      

A model for resin viscosity during cure in the resin transfer moulding process

A cure model has been developed for the viscosity of two-part epoxy/amine resins, focussing on low extents of cure—the most important region for the mould-filling stage in resin transfer moulding. A key advantage of the model is that it is not explicitly dependent on the extent of cure; therefore, the model can be used to predict the viscosity during cure without the need for determining the resin cure kinetics. The model parameters are obtained from isothermal viscosity–time measurements at constant shear rate. Examples are shown and data are given for five different resins in the temperature range 20–70 °C. The model is applied to simulate non-isothermal cure and compared against experimental data.     

Monitoring of resin flow in the resin transfer molding (RTM) process using point-voltage sensors

Multiple point-voltage sensors were used to monitor the mold filling stage of the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. Both lineal- and point-voltage sensors are electrical circuits in which the two poles of the sensor are closed when liquid thermoset resin arrives at the sensor location in the mold cavity. The electrical conductance of the liquid resin causes an increase in the output voltage, V_sens of the circuit. Although the gradually varying in situ data of a lineal sensor is more informative than a point-voltage sensor, lineal-voltage sensors might mislead the user if the resin covers the wires at multiple sections, or if the resin covers the wires starting from an unexpected section. Two kinds of sensors were developed: a set of similar, wrapped and compact lineal-voltage sensors acting as point-voltage sensors; and a point-voltage sensor with voltage amplification. Without this amplification, the increase in V_sens might be difficult to detect if the resin system has a low electrical conductivity and there is noise in the DAQ system. The accuracy and reliability of the new sensor system was verified by comparing the in situ sensor data with the visually recorded resin flow.     

树脂传递模塑工艺中的非饱和流动过程模拟与实验研究

针对编织类纤维增强体的纤维束之间与纤维束内孔隙的双尺度特点,建立了平纹织物的细观结构模型,并推导了汇函数的数学表达式。建立了局部细观流动特征的非饱和流动控制方程,利用有限元/控制体积方法求解,得到了局部饱和度分布。与实验进行比较,吻合较好。