Simulation of non-isothermal filling process in vacuum assisted compression resin transfer moulding process

Abstract

A non-isothermal filling process of vacuum assisted compression resin transfer moulding (VACRTM) has been developed to reduce cyclic period in this study. In VACRTM, the state of the fabric stack is controllable by stretchable film. During infusion, the resin is isothermally infused into the loose fabrics. After that, a hot fluid with high pressure is applied on the film to heat the resin and compact the preform. A one-dimensional flow and two-dimensional heat transfer model coupled with preform deformation is numerically analysed to investigate the influences of various scenarios on the non-isothermal filling process. Results show that the effects of pressure and temperature distributions at the onset of compression stage are transitional. The main mode of heat transfer is conduction in the thickness direction. Through evaluation of various scenarios, a preferable method is proposed by integrating the concept of fully wetted preform, less excess resin, hot compression and two-sided drainage.