Experimental evidence was obtained to complete the verification of the parameters needed for input to a three-dimensional finite element model simulating the resin flow and cure through an orthotropic fabric preform. The material characterizations completed include resin kinetics and viscosity models, as well as preform permeability and compaction models. The steady-state and advancing front permeability measurement methods are compared. The results indicate that both methods yield similar permeabilities for a plain weave, bi-axial fiberglass fabric. Also, a method to determine principal directions and permeabilities is discussed and results are shown for a multi-axial warp knit preform. The flow of resin through a blade-stiffened preform was modeled and experiments were completed to verify the results. The predicted inlet pressure was approximately 65% of the measured value. A parametric study was performed to explain differences in measured and predicted flow front advancement and inlet pressures. Furthermore, PR-500 epoxy resinlIM7 8HS carbon fabric flat panels were fabricated by the Resin Transfer Molding process. Tests were completed utilizing both perimeter injection and center-port injection as resin inlet boundary conditions. The mold was instrumented with FDEMS sensors, pressure transducers, and thermocouples to monitor the process conditions. Results include a comparison of predicted and measured inlet pressures and flow front position. For the perimeter injection case, the measured inlet pressure and flow front results compared well to the predicted results. The results of the center-port injection case showed that the predicted inlet pressure was approximately 50% of the measured inlet pressure. Also, measured flow front position data did not agree well with the predicted results. Possible reasons for error include fiber deformation at the resin inlet and a lag in FDEMS sensor wet-out due to low mold pressures. / Master of Science

No

Cette thèse s’intéresse à la fabrication de pièces composites par le procédé Resin Transfert Molding (ou RTM), appliquée à des tubes de protection thermiques. Plus particulièrement, cette thèse vise à démontrer la faisabilité d’utiliser ce procédé pour la fabrication cette pièce complexe. La phase d’imprégnation de préformes sèches est plus particulièrement étudiée. Après mise en oeuvre, cette pièce peut présenter des défauts tels que de la porosité ou des déplacements de plis constituant la préforme. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc de comprendre l’origine de ces défauts et de minimiser voire de d’empêcher leur apparition. Pour cela, une démarche expérimentale a été mise en place. Celle ci comprend la réalisation d’un pilote de laboratoire permettant d’appliquer différentes conditions d’imprégnation aux préformes considérées. La perméabilité des renforts considérés a aussi été évaluée à différentes échelles grâce à l’utilisation de moyen dédiés à l’échelle macroscopique (banc de perméabilité planaire et transverse), et grâce à l’utilisation d’un code de calcul se basant sur des images de tomographie synchrotron à l’échelle microscopique. Enfin, une analyse de la qualité des prototypes réalisés a été menée en suivant des procédures mises en place lors de ce projet et les résultats analysés et mis en relation avec les conditions de mise en oeuvre. Cette approche expérimentale est couplée aux simulations numériques de la phase d’imprégnation que nous avons aussi mise en oeuvre au cours de cette thèse. Par l’utilisation combinée de la simulation numérique et des essais expérimentaux, nous avons défini des critères estimant le risque d’apparition des défauts. Ces critères ont montré leur efficacité sur les solutions innovantes que nous avons proposées puisque répondant aux exigences du cahier des charges industriel. / This work concerns the manufacturing of composite parts using the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. A major goal of this study is to test the feasibility of using this process to manufacture a thick tubular part with a complex shape. This study concerns the different stages of the process with an important focus on the injection step of dry preforms. The goal of this thesis is to understand the generation of manufacturing defect (mainly porosity and preform deformation) that possibly takes place during the injection step to avoid them. An experimental procedure is proposed. An experimental setup was developed to study the influence of the different process parameters on the quality of the composite parts. The determination of the longitudinal and through the thickness permeabilities was conducted experimentally on sheared and un-sheared samples. An alternative technique to estimate the permeability is presented based on simulation software using X-ray tomography images at the microscale. At last, a quality control procedure was developed and applied to the tubes manufactured within this project. This experimental work was compared to numerical simulations of the injection stage. Using both numerical simulations and experiments, criteria on process and material parameters to predict the quality of the tailored parts are presented. Those criteria are successfully compared to experimental data and were applied to design innovative injection solutions that meet industrial specifications.

Experimentos industriais são realizados pelas empresas no intuito de melhorar as características de qualidade dos produtos e processos de fabricação. Nesse sentido, esta dissertação tem como objetivo estudar e aplicar as técnicas de planejamento e análise de experimentos na melhoria da qualidade industrial. Como parte do objetivo, desenvolve-se uma aplicação com as técnicas de planejamento fatorial fracionado '2POT. K-P', metodologia de superfície de resposta e análise de variância, em um processo de moldagem por injeção, utilizado por uma indústria que fabrica e comercializa componentes plásticos usados na construção civil. Com essa pesquisa experimental identificam-se os parâmetros mais importantes da injeção plástica: temperatura da máquina e pressão de injeção. Ao mesmo tempo, determinam-se os níveis ótimos de regulagem desses parâmetros. Assim, com esse estudo, avalia-se o procedimento de implantação das técnicas de experimentação e as dificuldades práticas encontradas, bem como busca-se contribuir na integração entre universidade e empresa. / Industrial experiments are made by companies in order to improve the quality characteristics of products and production processes. In this sense, the objective of this dissertation is to study and apply the design of experiments in the industrial quality improvement. In addition, as a part of the objective, an application of the techniques of design Fractional Factorial '2POT. K-P', Analysis of Variance and Response Surface Methodology is done. It is focused in an injection molding process applied by a company, that makes and trades plastic products for the civil construction. Using this experimental study, the most important parameters of plastic injection are identified: melt temperature and injection pressure. At the same time, the optimal levels of adjustment of these parameters are determined. From this study, it is evaluated both the implantation procedures of the designs of experiments as well as the difficulties faced. Also, this study tries to contribute to the university-company relationship.

Experimentos industriais são realizados pelas empresas no intuito de melhorar as características de qualidade dos produtos e processos de fabricação. Nesse sentido, esta dissertação tem como objetivo estudar e aplicar as técnicas de planejamento e análise de experimentos na melhoria da qualidade industrial. Como parte do objetivo, desenvolve-se uma aplicação com as técnicas de planejamento fatorial fracionado '2POT. K-P', metodologia de superfície de resposta e análise de variância, em um processo de moldagem por injeção, utilizado por uma indústria que fabrica e comercializa componentes plásticos usados na construção civil. Com essa pesquisa experimental identificam-se os parâmetros mais importantes da injeção plástica: temperatura da máquina e pressão de injeção. Ao mesmo tempo, determinam-se os níveis ótimos de regulagem desses parâmetros. Assim, com esse estudo, avalia-se o procedimento de implantação das técnicas de experimentação e as dificuldades práticas encontradas, bem como busca-se contribuir na integração entre universidade e empresa. / Industrial experiments are made by companies in order to improve the quality characteristics of products and production processes. In this sense, the objective of this dissertation is to study and apply the design of experiments in the industrial quality improvement. In addition, as a part of the objective, an application of the techniques of design Fractional Factorial '2POT. K-P', Analysis of Variance and Response Surface Methodology is done. It is focused in an injection molding process applied by a company, that makes and trades plastic products for the civil construction. Using this experimental study, the most important parameters of plastic injection are identified: melt temperature and injection pressure. At the same time, the optimal levels of adjustment of these parameters are determined. From this study, it is evaluated both the implantation procedures of the designs of experiments as well as the difficulties faced. Also, this study tries to contribute to the university-company relationship.