Aouatif Saad^1,*, Mohammed EL Ganaoui²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.19, No.1, pp. 95-103, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2023.022014

Abstract Resin transfer molding (RTM) is among the most used manufacturing processes for composite parts. Initially, the resin cure is initiated by heat supply to the mold. The supplementary heat generated during the reaction can cause thermal gradients in the composite, potentially leading to undesired residual stresses which can cause shrinkage and warpage. In the present numerical study of these processes, a one-dimensional finite difference method is used to predict the temperature evolution and the degree of cure in the course of the resin polymerization; the effect of some parameters on the thermal gradient is then analyzed, namely: the fiber nature,… More >

Rida Tazi¹, Adil Echchelh¹, Mohammed Hattabi², Mohammed El Ganaoui³, Aouatif Saad^4,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.19, No.1, pp. 223-232, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2023.021976

Abstract The successful manufacture of thick composites is challenging since the highly exothermic nature of thermoset resins and limited temperature control make avoiding the onset of detrimental thermal gradients within the composite relatively difficult. This phenomenon is mainly caused by exothermic heat reactions. The so-called Michaud's model has been largely used in the literature to reduce the gap between experience and simulation with regard to the effective prediction of the temperature cycle in these processes. In this work, another solution is proposed to simulate the curing process for thick composites, namely preheating the resin to activate the curing reaction before resin… More >

B. J. Henz¹, D. R. Shires²

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.7, No.1, pp. 13-18, 2008, DOI:10.3970/icces.2008.007.013

Abstract The capability to predict the residual stresses induced during the manufacturing process in composite components is necessary for the timely fielding of new combat systems. At the U.S. Army Research Laboratory we have developed a computational environment to model the resin flow, heat transfer, curing, and residual stresses in composite components manufactured with the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. This computational environment uses object-oriented programming methods to provide model coupling capabilities and access to high performance computing assets. In this paper we will provide details of the physical models, software, and the validation/verification procedure used to develop this RTM simulation… More >

R. Mathur¹, S. G. Advani², B. K. Fink³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.4, No.5, pp. 587-602, 2003, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2003.004.587

Abstract Real number-coded hybrid genetic algorithms for optimal design of resin injection locations for the resin transfer molding process are evaluated in this paper. Resin transfer molding (RTM) is widely used to manufacture composite parts with material and geometric complexities, especially in automotive and aerospace sectors. The sub-optimal location of the resin injection locations (gates) can leads to the formation of resin starved regions and require long mold fill times, thus affecting the part quality and increasing manufacturing costs. There is a need for automated design algorithms and software that can determine the best gate and vent locations for a composite… More >

N. D. Ngo, K. K. Tamma¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 57-72, 2000, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2000.001.359

Abstract In the process modeling via Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) for thick composite sections, multi-layer preforms with varying thermophysical characteristics across the different layers, or for geometrically complex mold geometries with varying thicknesses, the assumption of a thin shell-like geometry is no longer valid. The flow in the through thickness direction is no longer negligible and current practices of treating the continuously moving flow front as two-dimensional and the temperature and cure as three-dimensional are not representative of the underlying physics. In view of these considerations, in the present study, the focus is on the non-isothermal process modeling of composites employing… More >

Qiuren Ou^1,2,*, Peijun Ji², Jun Xiao¹, Ling Wu²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 27-37, 2019, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2019.04787

Abstract The properties of resin transfer molding (RTM) cyanate ester and its T800 grade carbon fiber composites were studied with the rheometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical property testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the temperature of cyanate ester suitable for RTM process was 70℃. Curing process of the resin was 130℃/2 h+160℃/2 h+200℃/2 h+220℃/4 h. Glass transition temperature and heat decomposition temperature of the cured resin are 289℃ and 415℃, respectively. Mechanical properties of T800/RTM cyanate composites are 13.5% higher than that of T700/RTM cyanate composites and… More >

A. Saad^1,2, A. Echchelh¹, M. Hattabi³, M. El Ganaoui⁴, F. Lahlou¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.8, No.3, pp. 277-294, 2012, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2012.008.277

Abstract A modified finite element/control volume (FE/CV) method is used to solve the resin flow problem. Full advantage is taken of some of the intrinsic peculiar characteristics of the method, in particular, of its capability of eliminating the need to remesh continuously the resin-filled domain at each time step. The model leads to the numerical prediction of temperature, pressure distribution and flow front position with great accuracy, together with a precise representation of the thermal (spatio-temporal) behaviour of the resin inside the mould. The validity of such approach is validated by comparison with available analytical results. Results demonstrate that this modified… More >