Modeling study of the surface tension and gravitational effects on flow injection in center-gated disks

Flow injection in center-gated disks was experimentally studied in this paper for possible applications in the manufacturing of composite materials in space. The experimental set-up used in this study was designed to provide flow visualization of the mold filling process. To record the progression of the fluid flow front in the mold, the experiment was filmed using a CCD. The effects of gravitation and surface tension on the development of flow front progression and front shape were examined for a wide range of the governing parameters (namely, the capillary and Stokes numbers). It has been found that surface tension tends to hold the flow front in symmetric shape while gravitation tends to distort it. The balance of these two forces has significant effects on the progression of the flow and the front shape. Results obtained from this experimental model not only validate the finite element method (FEM) model thus developed but also provide useful information in the design of the resin transfer molding process in space.