Modelling race-tracking variability of resin rich zones on 90° composite 2.2 twill fibre curved plate

Abstract

Resin rich zone along component edges is a common phenomenon during composites liquid infusion with the resin transfer moulding process. The challenge in the present work is to be able to predict the realistic race-track flow behaviour along a 90° edge in order to manufacture high-quality composites materials for aerospace or other applications. To that end, there is a lack of an advanced simulation tool capable to predict the manufacture of multi-layer textile composites. The issue of 2D, 3D racetrack prediction on this paper was investigated along a 90° edge for a composite textile. A novel numerical approach for a three-dimensional Finite Element Control/Volume modelling was developed in order to predict race-tracking permeability for any composite structure. The model was experimentally verified for a 2/2 twill carbon fibre geometry. All experiments and simulations used 1 bar pressure and 300 mPa s viscosity.