Estudo de tolerância ao dano no compósito processado via RTM de fibra de carbono NCF/resina epóxi CYCOM 890

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Experimental RTM manufacturing analysis of carbon/epoxy composites for aerospace application

The success of manufacturing composite parts by liquid composite molding processes with RTM depends on tool designs, efficient heat system, a controlled injection pressure, a stabilized vacuum system, besides of a suitable study of the preform lay-up and the resin system choice. This paper reports how to assemble a RTM system in a laboratory scale by specifying heat, injection and vacuum system. The design and mold material were outlined by pointing out its advantages and disadvantages. Four different carbon fiber fabrics were used for testing the RTM system. The injection pressure was analyzed regarding fiber volume content, preform compression and permeability, showing how these factors can affect the process parameters. The glass transition temperature (Tg) around 203 ºC matched with the aimed temperature of the mold which ensured good distribution of the heat throughout the upper and lower mold length. The void volume fraction in a range of 2% confirmed the appropriate RTM system and parameters choice.

Fatigue crack growth rate in mode I of a carbon fiber 5HS weave composite laminate processed via RTM

Delamination or crack propagation between plies is a critical issue for structural composites. In viewing this issue and the large application of woven fabrics in structural applications, especially the ones that requires high drapeability to be preformed in a RTM mold cavity such as the asymmetric ones, e.g HS series, this research aimed in dynamically testing the carbon fiber 5HS/RTM6 epoxy composites under opening mode using DCB set up in order to investigate the crack growth rate behavior in an irregular surface produced by the fabric waviness. The evaluation of the energy involved in each crack increment was based on the Irwin-Kies equation using compliance beam theory. The tests were conducted at constant stress ratio of R=0.1 with displacement control, frequency of 10 Hz, in accordance to ASTM E647-00 for measurement of crack growth rate. The results showed large scatter when compared to unidirectional carbon fiber composites due to damage accumulation at the fill tows.

Aproveitamento dos resíduos de compósitos à base de resina poliéster e fibra de vidro

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Mesoscopic simulation of the impregnating process of unidirectional fibrous preform in resin transfer molding

The resin transfer molding has gained popularity in the preparation of fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites because of its high efficiency and low pollution. The non-uniform inter-tow and intra-tow flows are regarded as the reason of void formation in RTM. According to the process characteristics, the axisymmetric model was developed to study the interaction between the flow in the inter-tow space and that in the intra-tow space. The flow behavior inside the fiber tows was formulated using Brinkman's equation, while that in the open space around the fiber tows was formulated by Stokes' equation. The volume of fluid (VOF) method was applied to track the flow front, and the effects of filling velocity, resin viscosity, inter-tow dimension and intra-tow permeability on fluid pressure and flow front were analyzed. The results show that the flow front difference between the inter-tow and intra-tow becomes larger with the decrease of intra-tow permeability, as well as the increase of filling velocity and inter-tow dimension.

Investigations on pressure and thickness profiles in carbon fiber-reinforced polymers during vacuum assisted resin transfer molding

Systematic experiments have been carried out by monitoring the in-situ pressure and thickness profiles for three different configurations, viz., flat plate, flat plate with a central circular hole, and an L-section using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The effect of anisotropy on resin flow has been quantified by considering uni-directional carbon fiber preforms with 0 degrees and 90 degrees orientation to the flow direction for each configuration. A quasi-isotropic 45 degrees/0 degrees/-45 degrees/90 degrees](S) layup has also been included for flat plate case. Additionally, the study has been extended to understand the effect of using high permeability medium for each configuration. Fluid pressure profiles and thickness variation profiles have been obtained using an array of pressure sensors and linear variable differential transformers for each configuration. Experimental data reveal that anisotropy (due to changing fiber orientations), configuration, and gravity significantly change fluid pressure and displacement fields obtained during VARTM.

Enhancements of the simulation method on the edge effect in resin transfer molding processes

In resin transfer molding processes, small clearances exist between the fiber preform and the mold edges, which result in a preferential resin flow in the edge channel and then disrupt the flow patterns during the mold filling stage. A mathematical model including the effect of cavity thickness on resin flow was developed for flow behavior involving the interface between an edge channel and a porous medium. According to the mathematical analysis of momentum equations in a fully developed rectangular duct and formulations of the equivalent edge permeability, comparing with three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations, the governing equations were modified in the edge channel. The volume of fluid (VOF) method was applied to track the flow front. A simple case is numerically simulated using the modified governing equations. The effects of edge channel width and cavity thickness on flow front and inlet pressure are analyzed, and the evolution characteristics of simulated results are in agreement with the experimental results. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Reactive Mold Filling in Resin Transfer Molding Processes with Edge Effects

Reactive mold filling is one of the important stages in resin transfer molding processes, in which resin curing and edge effects are important characteristics. On the basis of previous work, volume-averaging momentum equations involving viscous and inertia terms were adopted to describe the resin flow in fiber preform, and modified governing equations derived from the Navier-Stokes equations are introduced to describe the resin flow in the edge channel. A dual-Arrhenius viscosity model is newly introduced to describe the chemorheological behavior of a modified bismaleimide resin. The influence of the curing reaction and processing parameters on the resin flow patterns was investigated.

Evaluation of stitched fabric composite processed by RTM in quasi-static test

Stitched fabrics have been widely studied for potential application in aircraft structures since stitch yarns offer improvements in the out-of-plane mechanical properties and also can save time in the lay up process. The down side of stitch yarns came up in the manufacturing process of fabric in which defects introduced by the needle movement creating fiber-free-zones, fiber breakage and misalignment of fibers. The dry stitched carbon fabric preform has mainly been used in the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process which high fiber content is aimed, those defects influence negatively the injection behavior reducing the mechanical properties of final material. The purpose of this research work focused on testing in quasi-static mechanical mode (in-plane tension) of a monocomponent resin CYCOM (R) 890 RTM/carbon fiber anti-symmetric quadriaxial fabric stitched by PE 80Dtex yarn processed by RTM. The evaluation consisted in comparing the scatter of the quasi-static test with the attenuation of ultrasonic maps, which show the path of the resin and possible dry spots considering that interference of yarn in resin flow is detectable in ultrasonic measurement. Microscopic analysis was also considered for further evaluation in case of premature failure. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of ICM11

Compósito estrutural carbono/epóxi via RTM para aplicação aeronáutica: processamento e caracterização

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Resina epóxi reforçada com tecido de carbono não dobrável por processo RTM

Com o objetivo de ganhar competitividade no mercado internacional e contribuir para o desenvolvimento tecnológico no país, o presente trabalho apresenta a técnica de processamento de moldagem por transferência de resina (RTM), utilizada na fabricação de materiais compósitos estruturais e ainda pouco estudada no Brasil. Os compósitos processados por essa técnica apresentam maior fração volumétrica de fibras, melhor acabamento superficial e pouca ou nenhuma necessidade de acabamento do componente produzido. Este trabalho compreende a caracterização de compósitos produzidos com resina epóxi monocomponente RTM6 e o tecido não dobrável de fibra de carbono. Os compósitos produzidos pela Hexcel Composites foram analisados pela técnica de ultrassom C-Scan e os resultados mostraram que os laminados processados estão homogêneos quanto à impregnação. Ensaios mecânicos mostram que os laminados com tecido apresentam características comparáveis à dos compósitos produzidos em autoclave com maiores porcentagens de reforço. Em fadiga, os laminados apresentaram um alto e curto intervalo, com tensões próximas à de tração. Quanto ao comportamento térmico observou-se melhora nas propriedades com a adição do reforço de fibras de carbono, que promoveram o aumento da temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg). Quanto ao comportamento viscoelástico, foi observado a influencia da temperatura e freqüência no material. Considerando as propriedades mecânicas e térmicas, ambos os compósitos foram classificados como adequados à aplicação proposta.

Tricot stitched carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite laminates manufactured by resin transfer molding process: C-scan and flexural analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Processamento e caracterização de compósito fibra de sisal/resina epóxi via RTM

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparação de compósitos obtidos via RTM de resina epóxi e fibra de carbono com e sem descontinuidade nos tecidos

Technology is growing interest in the use of composites, due to the requirement of lighter materials and more resistant, factors essential to meet the project specifications and reduce the operational cost. In the production of high performance structural composites, considering the aerospace criteria, the domestic industry has shown interest in the process of resin transfer molding (RTM) for reproducibility and low cost. This process is suitable for producing components of polymeric composites with relatively simple geometries, consistent thicknesses, high quality finish with no size limitations. The objective of this work was machined carbon steel to make a matched-die tooling for RTM and produce two composite plates of epoxy resin and carbon fiber fabric with and without induced discontinuities, which were compared towards their impregnation with ultrasound, their properties via tensile tests and thermal analysis. In ultrasonic inspection, it was found good impregnation of the preform of both composites. In the thermal analysis it was possible to check the degradation temperature of the composites, the glass transition temperature and it was found that the composites showed no effective cure cycles, but presented good performance in the tensile test when compared with aluminum alloy 7050 T7451 . The results showed that the injection strategy was appropriate since the laminate exhibited a good quality for the proposed application

Obtenção e caracterização de compósitos via RTM com alta fração de fibras de carbono processados à temperatura ambiente

After confirming the high specific mechanical properties of composite materials by scientific studies conducted over the last decades, one of the challenges of this new class of materials is the ability to achieve mass production at a more affordable cost, which has become indispensable. The Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is an excellent method for manufacturing composite materials. Despite being a process widely used by international companies in the production of high performance structural composites, only a short time the national aviation industry has shown interest in implementing this type of processing to more complex structures and greater structural responsibility. In aeronautical projects, the reproducibility and the relative low cost of this process, several studies have been performed in Brazil for learning and perfecting this technique. This process is suitable for producing polymer components both simple as complex geometry, and allows to achieve consistent thickness, with high quality finish and without limiting range. Polymeric composite components for the high mechanical stress applications such as aircraft structures, satellites, etc., require a strict control of volume fractions of the composite constituents, beyond the knowledge of their mechanical and thermal properties. Therefore, in this experimental work degree study on the mechanical, thermal and of porosity composites processed by RTM processed characterization was performed. This characterization was performed targeting a possible aerospace application of this composite material. For the production of composites, process equipment (RTM RTM injector Radius 2100cc) was used. The processed carbono/epoxy composites were characterized via flexure tests mechanically and thermally analysis via DMA, DSC and TGA. To determine the volume fraction of fibers, the composite samples were analyzed via matrix digestion (ASTM D3171) ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)