TY - JOUR
T1 - A finite element-based heuristic estimation of local preform permeability for resin transfer molding
AU - Ye, Xugang
AU - Qiu, Jingjing
AU - Zhang, Chuck
AU - Liang, Richard
AU - Wang, Ben
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Uniformity of fabrics significantly affects the resin flow behavior in the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. Due to fabric defects or improper fiber preform preparation/loading, non-uniformity in fabric structure frequently occurs in RTM processing and creates local permeability variations. Such variations often lead to unbalanced resin flow patterns and thus result in defects of finished composite parts. In RTM process modeling, an accurate estimation of the whole field permeability profile of the fiber preform is critical for predicting resin flow pattern correctly. In this article, a finite element-based heuristic computing method is introduced for estimating the in situ whole-field isotropic permeability profile of the preform using a steady flow of gas. Compared with conventional approaches, this method is effective in measuring local permeability variations and applicable to molds with complex 2-D geometries, as well as diverse injection strategies. Several case studies were presented with experimental designs and numerical computations to illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the method.
AB - Uniformity of fabrics significantly affects the resin flow behavior in the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. Due to fabric defects or improper fiber preform preparation/loading, non-uniformity in fabric structure frequently occurs in RTM processing and creates local permeability variations. Such variations often lead to unbalanced resin flow patterns and thus result in defects of finished composite parts. In RTM process modeling, an accurate estimation of the whole field permeability profile of the fiber preform is critical for predicting resin flow pattern correctly. In this article, a finite element-based heuristic computing method is introduced for estimating the in situ whole-field isotropic permeability profile of the preform using a steady flow of gas. Compared with conventional approaches, this method is effective in measuring local permeability variations and applicable to molds with complex 2-D geometries, as well as diverse injection strategies. Several case studies were presented with experimental designs and numerical computations to illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the method.
KW - Darcy's law
KW - Heuristic computing method
KW - Permeability
KW - Porous media
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=59449086726&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11242-008-9245-5
DO - 10.1007/s11242-008-9245-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:59449086726
VL - 76
SP - 247
EP - 263
JO - Transport in Porous Media
JF - Transport in Porous Media
SN - 0169-3913
IS - 2
ER -