Determination of flow front velocity and optimal injection pressures for better impregnation of E-glass with polyester in resin transfer mold

Abstract

Flow front velocity of resin plays a key role in yielding better impregnation of fiber reinforcement in resin transfer molding to fabricate quality composites. A video camera was used to capture the patterns of resin flowing below the grid lines drawn on the acrylic sheet of resin transfer mold and also to accurately measure the flow front velocity using an image conversion tool. The effect of flow front velocity, permeability, Reynolds number and void content at five different injection pressures on chopped strand E-glass/polyester composites consisting of 4, 5 and 6 layers has been studied. On the basis of Reynolds number of resin flow and void content present in the composite, optimal injection pressures are suggested for better impregnation of preform. Composites processed at these injection pressures gave superior properties in tension and flexure. Fractured parts of the specimens were examined on Scanning Electron Microscope to explain the causes of superior mechanical properties.