Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of Dispersion Coefficient for Resin Transfer Modeling

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is a composite manufacturing process. A preformed fiber is placed in a closed mold and a viscous resin is injected into the mold. In this article, a model is developed to predict the flow pattern, extent of reaction, and temperature change during the filling and curing in a thin rectangular mold. A numerical simulation is presented to predict the free surface and its interactions with heat transfer and cure for flow of a shear-thinning resin through the preformed fiber.To simulate this process, using local thermal equilibrium assumption, it is essential to include the thermal dispersion term in energy equation. The best method to achieve this result is experimental simulation and preparing proportionate system at simple conditions without curing. By comparison of recorded temperature values (using installed instruments at various locations), and the corresponding results from numerical solution for different estimated values of dispersion coefficient, this coefficient has been evaluated based on the best matching estimate. The results show that, to simulate composite manufacturing process by RTM method, the effect of dispersion term in energy equation shall not be neglected.