Mold Filling Analysis in Vacuum Infusion Molding Process Based on a High-Permeable Medium

The objective of this paper is to understand the flow mechanism through visualization experiments and discuss theinfluence of process parameters on mold filling process. A 2D leakage flow model is developed to simulate the moldingprocess, and the simulation results show good agreement with experiments.

Vacuum Infusion Molding Process Part 1:VIMP Based on a High-Permeable Medium

The visualization experiments were carried out to investigate the permeability of the high permeable medium (HPM) and the roles of the peel ply and the HPM in the mold filling.The influence of process parameters on mold filling is discussed.Furthermore,the whole vacuum infusion molding process (VIMP) procedure is introduced in detail taking the manufacture of a model boat for example.

Vacuum Infusion Molding Process (Part 2 VIMP Based on Grooves)

The optimal parameters for flow grooves and supply grooves were determined by a series of experiments,and the influences of various molding conditions on the mold filling process were analyzed.Furthermore,the whole VIMP procedure based on grooves was introduced in detail taking the manufacture of a sandwich panel as an example.

Part Thickness Variation during the Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Process

An experimental procedure was designed to monitor the preform thickness change real-time throughout the vacuum assisted resin infusion( VARI) process. Two kinds of liquid with different viscosity were infused with different post-filling time. The variation of the part thickness during the VARI process was studied. And the effect of the post-filling time on the part thickness was investigated.The results indicate that the compaction behavior of the preform can be divided into three stages,and the fiber volume fraction varies with the post-filling time in a similar sinusoid form. In addition,the post-filling should be overtime for the greatest fiber volume fraction,and when the resin is infused with higher viscosity,the greatest fiber volume fraction is higher.

Formulating Novel Halogen-Free Synergistic Flame Retardant Epoxy Resins for Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Composites

The most common process to manufacture advanced composites is the costly autoclave.One of the out-of-autoclave alternatives is the low-cost vacuum assisted resin infusion(VARI)which produces quality parts with less pollution.Epoxy resin is a widely used composite matrix resin,but its high flammability limits its use as interior composite parts for vehicles.The usual flame retardant for epoxy involves halogen,which is effective but has high smoke toxicity.As a result,halogen-free flame retardant epoxy resin systems become dominant.In this paper,phosphorus flame retardant was combined with benzoxazine(BOZ)to produce synergistic effect and achieve satisfactory flame retardance,as well as mechanical improvement for the epoxy resin.Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA),thermal gravitational analysis(TGA),the cone calorimeter(CC),and limiting oxygen index(LOI)were used to characterize the resins.The results showed significant improvement on the flame retardance of the synergistically modified resins.Specifically,the carbon residue increased by 113.6%,and the char thickness increased by 6 to 7 times,compared to those of the flammable benchmark resin.The LOI reached 33 and passed the UL94 V-0 vertical burn rating.The modified resins also exhibited adequate stability and viscosity suitable for VARI processes.

Rheological Behaviors and Processing Windows of Low Viscosity Epoxy Resin for VIMP

The chemorheological behaviors of a low viscosity epoxy resin system （Huntsman 1564/3486） for vacuum infusion moulding process （VIMP） were studied with viscosity experiments.The dual-Arrhenius rheological model and the engineering viscosity model were established and compared with the experimental data.The result showed that the viscosity in the earlier stage calculated by dual-Arrhenius model were smaller than the experimental data,while the data calculated by the engineering model were larger.Combining the two models together can predict the rheological behaviors of the resin system in a more credible manner.The processing windows of the resin system for VIMP were determined based on the two models.The optimum processing temperature is 30-45 ℃.

Flexural Properties of Grooved Perforation Sandwich Composites

Selecting H-60 PVC foam, four-axis E-glass non-woven fabric and vinyl resin, a type of innovative reinforced sandwich composite as grooved perforation sandwich （GPS） were fabricated by VIMP. The interfacial structure between the face and core of the sandwich is innovative because of the acuminate grooves in both sides of foam core and the holes perforated along core’s height. The fabrication results show that VIMP is a high-speed and cost-effective manufacturing method. The mechanical properties of the reinforced foam core were tested. The typical flexural failure modes of sandwich specimens were observed. The flexural stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity of sandwich were studied by ordinary sandwich beam theory and finite element method.

Investigations on damage resistance of carbon fiber composite panels toughened using veils

This research focused on how to improve damage resistance of carbon fiber laminates. It was carried out at Cranfield University Composites Centre, Milton Keynes, UK as an MSc by research thesis project. A series of low-cost composite laminates, with or without novel veils provided by Tenax, was manufactured using current aircraft carbon fiber preforms via vacuum infusion （VI） molding in this research. All the investigations on damage resistance of these panels were carried out according to the British Standard （BS ISO 18353：2009）. Initial damage was induced using a falling weight apparatus mounting a 16 mm hemispherical tip. C-scan and Micrograph were employed to reveal damage characteristics. Finally, both compression after impact （CAI） and plain compression strength were experimented. The behaviors of these panels, including damage size, damage construction, residual compression strength, and compression strength reduction, were utilized to investigate how and to what extent the veils affected the damage resistance. The results show that using veils is an efficient method of improving the damage resistance of the laminates studied. Maximum 32% increase in residual compression strength is achieved via veils accompanying with 7% increase in cost.