Numerical simulation of resin infusion and reinforcement consolidation under flexible cover
摘要整理
Abstract This paper presents the physical phenomena and equations governing resin infusion under a flexible cover. This composite manufacturing process known as vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) is analyzed here when the reinforcement is covered by a thin plastic film and resin is injected by gravity after a partial level of vacuum has been achieved in the cavity. In this process, the plastic cover is deformed as the resin fills up the mold cavity. Coupling between the mechanical deformation of the flexible cover and the resin flow inside the mold cavity is described by a set of mathematical equations with boundary conditions. Based on this model, a general methodology is developed to simulate numerically the resin flow during the infusion process. Validation of the numerical results is performed by comparison with a series of experiments. POLYM. COMPOS. 26:417–427, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers