Modelling Liquid Composite Moulding Processes Employing Wood Fibre Mat Reinforcements

Abstract

Liquid Composite Moulding (LCM) processes are commonly used techniques for the manufacture of advanced composite structures. This study explores the potential of wood fibres as reinforcement for LCM preforms, considering mats produced using dry and wet methods. The compaction response of these mats has been investigated with and without the presence of a test fluid. Permeability of these mats was also measured as a function of fibre volume fraction. Reinforcement permeability and compaction response data were used to model two different LCM processes. The simulation results have been compared with experiments.