A mathematical model for RTM process simulations in geometries with irregular shapes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1260/1750-9548.8.3.285Abstract
Composites made by using RTM processes have attractive properties to aerospace and automotive industries. However, it is mandatory optimize all process parameters. Some mathematical models developed to predict fluid flow in porous media may be used as a support tool for laboratory studies. These models present complex sets of differential partial equations that may be solved numerically, via discretization methods. This work presents a mathematical model to predict resin and air flow in RTM processes. The finite volume method was used to discretize the equations written in boundary fitted coordinates, without the need for any front tracking algorithm. To validate the methodology, numerical results for flow front positions in rectilinear flows were compared to analytical data. The model was also employed to describe the fluid flow in geometries with arbitrary irregular boundaries.
References
Shojaei A.; Ghaffarian S. R.; Karimian S. M. H. Modeling and simulation approaches in the resin transfer molding process: a review. Polymer Composites, 24 (4):525-544, Aug 2003a. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.10050
Long A. C. Design and manufacture of textile composites. CRC Press, 1 ed., 2006.
Chui W.; Glimm J.; Tangerman F.; Jardine A.; Madsen J.; Donnellan T.; Leek R. Porosity migration in RTM. Numerical methods in thermal problems., 9:1323-1334, 1995.
Phelan F. R.; Frederick R. Simulation of the injection process in resin transfer molding. Polymer Composites, 18(4): 460-476, 1997. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.10298
Shojaei A.; Ghaffarian S. R.; Karimian S. M. H. Numerical simulation of three-dimensional mold filling in resin transfer molding. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 22(16):1497-1529, Nov 2003b. https://doi.org/10.1177/073168403027612
Lee S. H.; Yang M.; Song Y. S.; Kim S. Y.; Youn J. R. Three-dimensional flow simulation of resin transfer molding utilizing multilayered fiber preform. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 114(3):1803-1812, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.30698
Shi F.; Dong X. 3D numerical simulation of filling and curing processes in non-isothermal RTM process cycle. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 47(7): 764-770, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finel.2011.02.007
Dai F.; Zhang B.; Du S. Analysis of upper- and lower- limits of fill time in resin transfer mold filling simulation. Journal of Composite Materials, 38(13):1115-1136, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998304042078
Chang R.-Y.; Yang W.-H. Numerical simulation of mold filling in injection molding using a three-dimensional finite volume approach. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 37(2):125-148, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1002/fld.166
Yang J.; Jia Y.; Sun S.; Ma D.; Shi T.; An L. Mesoscopic simulation of the impregnating process of unidirectional fibrous preform in resin transfer molding. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 435-436:515-520, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2006.07.110
Schmidt F. M.; Lafleur P.; Berthet F.; Devos P. Numerical simulation of resin transfer molding using linear Boundary Element Method. Polymer Composites, 20 (6): 725-732, 1999. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.10396
Soukane S.; Trochu F. Application of the Level Set method to the simulation of resin transfer molding. Composites Science and Technology, 66(7-8):1067-1080, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.03.001
Gantois R.; Cantarel A.; Felices J.-N.; Schmidt F. Numerical simulation of resin transfer molding using BEM and Level Set Method. International Journal of Material Forming, 3:635-638, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12289-010-0850-9
Maliska C. R. Computational heat transfer and fluid mechanics. LTC, 2 ed., 2004 (in Portuguese).
Allen III M. B. Numerical modelling of multiphase flow in porous media. Advances in Water Resources, 8:162-187, 1985. https://doi.org/10.1016/0309-1708(85)90062-4
Chui W. K.; Glimm J.; Tangerman F. M.; Jardine A. P.; Madsen J. S.; Donnellan T. M.; Leek R. Process modeling in resin transfer molding as a method to enhance product quality. SIAM review, páginas 714-727, 1997. https://doi.org/10.1137/s0036144596308546
Vafai K. Handbook of Porous Media, 2 ed. Taylor & Francis, 2005.
Kumar V. Coupling of Free Flow and Flow in Porous Media - Dimensional Analysis and Numerical Investigation. Diplomarbeit, Institut für Wasserbau, Universität Stuttgart, 2012.
Coutinho, B. G. Mathematical Modeling Using Boundary Fitted Coordinates and Development of a Computational Simulator for Applications in Resin Transfer Molding Processes. Thesis (Doctorate in Process Engineering), Federal University of Campina Grande, Brazil, 2013, p.201. (in Portuguese).
Shojaei A. Numerical simulation of three-dimensional flow and analysis of filling process in compression resin transfer moulding. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 37(9):1434-1450, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.06.021
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2014 B Coutinho, V Bezerra, S Neto, A Lima
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.