To read this content please select one of the options below:

Process modeling of composites by resin transfer molding: Sensitivity analysis for non‐isothermal considerations

B.J. Henz (US Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Aberdeen, Maryland, USA)
K.K. Tamma (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)
R.V. Mohan (Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Carolina A&T University, Grensbro, North Carolina, USA)
N.D. Ngo (United Defense, L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow

ISSN: 0961-5539

Article publication date: 1 October 2005

940

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present paper is to describe the modeling, analysis and simulations for the resin transfer molding (RTM), manufacturing process with particular emphasis on the sensitivity analysis for non‐isothermal applications.

Design/methodology/approach

For the manufacturing of advanced composites via RTM, besides the tracking of the resin flow fronts through a porous fiber perform, the heat transfer and the resin cure kinetics play an important role. The computational modeling is coupled multi‐disciplinary problem of flow‐thermal‐cure. The paper describes the so‐called continuous sensitivity formulation via the finite element method for this multi‐disciplinary problem for process modeling of composites manufactured by RTM to predict, analyze and optimize the manufacturing process.

Findings

Illustrative numerical examples are presented for two sample problems which include examination of sensitivity parameters for the case of material and geometric properties, and boundary conditions including fill time sensitivity analysis. The results indicate that the proposed formulations serve a useful role for the design and optimization of the RTM manufacturing process, thereby, avoiding heuristic trial‐and‐error methods.

Research limitations/implications

The paper restricts attention to constant properties and extensions to non‐linear thermophysical properties will serve as an added benefit.

Practical implications

The present efforts significantly impact the design/optimization process in the process modeling of composites manufactured by RTM.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that continuous sensitivity analysis is done for non‐isothermal considerations in RTM.

Keywords

Citation

Henz, B.J., Tamma, K.K., Mohan, R.V. and Ngo, N.D. (2005), "Process modeling of composites by resin transfer molding: Sensitivity analysis for non‐isothermal considerations", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 15 No. 7, pp. 631-653. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530510613852

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles