Abstract
VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding) is a popular method for manufacturing large-scaled, single-sided mold composite structures, such as wind turbine blades and yachts. Simulation to find the proper infusion scenario before manufacturing is essential to avoid dry spots as well as incomplete saturation and various fiber weaves with different permeability affect numerical simulation tremendously. This study focused on deriving the in-plane permeability prediction method for FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) laminates in the VARTM process by experimental measurements and numerical analysis. The method provided an efficient way to determine the permeability of laminates without conducting lots of experiments in the future. In-plane permeability imported into the software, RTM-Worx, to simulate resin flowing pattern before the infusion experiments of a 3D ship hull with two different infusion scenarios. The close agreement between experiments and simulations proved the correctness and applicability of the prediction method for the in-plane permeability.
Highlights
VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Rein Transfer Molding) has been employed successfully to manufacture FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) ship hull structures since 1994 [1] and other large structures, such as wind turbine blades and yachts [2,3]
This study focused on deriving the in-plane permeability prediction method for FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) laminates in the VARTM process by experimental measurements and numerical analysis
This study investigated the in-plane permeability for single and multi types of fiber laminates by the permeability experiments
Summary
VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Rein Transfer Molding) has been employed successfully to manufacture FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) ship hull structures since 1994 [1] and other large structures, such as wind turbine blades and yachts [2,3]. In this manufacturing technique, the fiber lay-up is placed in advance above a one-sided mold, and resin injects into the fiber lay-up under one pressure gradient as vacuum is applied. The development of simplified macroscopic models for predicting permeability of FRP laminates composing of various woven fabrics is beneficial for simulating and discussing the manufactures of complex structures with various infusion scenarios in the VARTM process. The close agreement between experiments and simulations proved the correctness and applicability of the prediction method for the in-plane permeability
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
