Algebraic rectilinear model for multilayer resin transfer molding injection

Abstract

An analytical model for the multilayer rectilinear injection applied to the RTM process has been developed. The model takes into account the permeability in both in-plane (Kxx and Kyy ) and transverse (Kzz ) directions of each layer of the reinforcement media and calculates the transverse permeability (Kt ) through adjacent layers. Porosity and thickness are set independent for each layer of the assembly. Mass balance of resin within the layers is used to develop an expression that estimates resin position (xi ) as a function of time (t) independently of each layer. The resulting equation was solved using: (i) Numerical integration and (ii) algebraic integration of the simplified expression resulting in a closed expression for x i = xi (t). Results of both proposed methods were compared with the calculations performed using the PAM-RTM software for cases with three, five and seven layers and the maximum calculated error in all cases was less than 12%.