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In this investigation, a comprehensive Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process simulation model was developed and verified. The model incorporates resin flow through the preform, compaction and relaxation of the preform, and viscosity and cure kinetics of the resin. The computer model can be used to analyze the resin flow details, track the thickness change of the preform, predict the total infiltration time and final fiber volume fraction of the parts, and determine whether the resin could completely infiltrate and uniformly wet out the preform. Flow of resin through the preform is modeled as flow through porous media. Darcy's law combined with the continuity equation for an incompressible Newtonian fluid forms the basis of the flow model. During the infiltration process, it is well accepted that the total pressure is shared by the resin pressure and the pressure supported by the fiber network. With the progression of the resin, the net pressure applied to the preform decreases as a result of increasing local resin pressure. This leads to the springback of the preform, and is called the springback mechanism. On the other side, the lubrication effect of the resin causes the rearrangement of the fiber network and an increase in the preform compaction. This is called the wetting compaction mechanism. The thickness change of the preform is determined by the relative magnitude of the springback and wetting deformation mechanisms. In the compaction model, the transverse equilibrium equation is used to calculate the net compaction pressure applied to the preform, and the compaction test results are fitted to give the compressive constitutive law of the preform. The Finite Element/Control Volume (FE/CV) method is adopted to find the flow front location and the fluid pressure. The code features the ability of simultaneous integration of 1-D, 2-D and 3-D element types in a single simulation, and thus enables efficient modeling of the flow in complex mold geometries. VARTM of two flat composite panels was conducted to verify the simulation model. The composite panels were fabricated using the SAERTEX multi-axial warp knit carbon fiber fabric and SI-ZG-5A epoxy resin. Panel 1 contained one stack of the carbon fabric, and Panel 2 contained four stacks of the fabric. The parameters verified included the flow front location and preform thickness change. For Panel 1, the flow front locations were accurately predicted while the predicted resin infiltration was much slower than measured for Panel 2. The disagreement is attributed to the permeability model used in the simulation, which failed to consider the interface flow in the unstitched preform containing more than one stack of the fabric under very low compaction force. The predicted transverse displacements agree well with the experimental measurement qualitatively, but not quantitatively. The reasons for the differences were discussed, and further investigations are recommended to develop a more accurate compaction model. The simulation code was also used to investigate the VARTM of a new form of sandwich structure with through-the-thickness reinforcements, which is being considered for use in primary aircraft structure. The infiltration of three foam core sandwich preforms with different stitch densities was studied. The objective of the study was to determine whether the preforms could be completely infiltrated and how the stitch density affects the infiltration process. The visualization experiments were conducted to verify the simulation. The model accurately predicted the resin infiltration patterns. The calculated filling times underpredicted experimental times by 4 to 14%. The model revealed the resin flow details and found that increasing the stitch spacing shortens the total filling time, but increases the nonuniformity of the flow front shape. Extreme nonuniformity of the flow front shape could result in the formation of the voids. / Ph. D.

This work was performed under a cooporative research effort sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in conjunction with the aerospace industry and acedemia. One of the primary goals of NASA is to improve the safety and affordability of commercial air flight. Part of this goal includes research to reduce fuel consumption by developing lightweight carbon fiber, polymer matrix composites to replace existing metallic airframe structure. In the Twenty-first Aircraft Technology Program (TCAT) efforts were focused on developing novel processing methods to fabricate tailored composite airframe structure. The Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) processing technique offers a safer, more affordable alternative to manufacture large scale composite fuselages and wing structures. Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding is an infusion process originally developed for manufacturing of composites in the marine industry. The process is a variation of Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), where the rigid matched metal tooling is replaced on one side with a flexible vacuum bag. The entire process, including infusion and consolidation of the part, occurs at atmospheric pressure (101.5 kPa). High-performance composites with fiber volumes in the range of 45% to 50% can be achieved without the use of an autoclave. The main focus of the VARTM process development effort was to determine the feasibility of manufacturing aerospace quality composites with fiber volume fractions approaching 60%. A science-based approach was taken, utilizing finite element process models to characterize and develop a full understanding of the VARTM infusion process as well as the interaction of the constituent materials. Achieving aerospace quality composites requires further development not only of the VARTM process, but also of the matrix resins and fiber preforms. The present work includes an investigation of recently developed epoxy matrix resins, including the characterization of the resin cure kinetics and flow behaviors. Two different fiber preform architectures were characterized to determine the response to compaction under VARTM conditions including a study to determine the effect of thickness on maximum achievable fiber volume fraction. Experiments were also conducted to determine the permeabilities of these preforms under VARTM flow conditions. Both the compaction response and the permeabilities of the preforms were fit to empirical models which can be used as input for future work to simulate VARTM infusion using process models. Actual infusion experiments of these two types preforms were conducted using instrumented tools to determine the pressures and displacements that occur during VARTM infiltration. Flow experiments on glass tooling determined the fill-times and flow front evolution of preform specimens of various thicknesses. The results of these experiments can be used as validation of process model infusion simulations and to verify the compaction and permeability empirical models. Panels were infused with newly developed epoxy resins, cured and sectioned to determine final fiber volume fractions and part quality in an effort to verify both the infusion and compaction experimental data. The preforms characterized were found to have both elastic and inelastic compression response. The maximum fiber volume fraction of the knitted fabrics was dependent on the amount of stacks in the preform specimen. This relationship was found in the determination of the Darcy permeabilities of the preforms. The results of the characterization of the two epoxy resin systems the show that the two resins have similar minimum viscosities but significantly different curing behaviors. Characterization of the VARTM process resulted in different infusion responses in the two preform specimens investigated. The response of the saturated preform to a recompaction after infusion indicated that a significant portion of the fiber volume lost during infusion could be recovered. Fiber volume and void-content analysis of flat composite panels fabricated in VARTM using the characterized resins and preforms resulted in void-free parts with fiber volumes over 58%. Results in the idealized compaction tests indicated fiber volumes as high as 60% were achievable with the knitted fabric. The work over the presented here has led to a more complete understanding of the VARTM process but also led to more questions concerning its feasibility as an aerospace composite manufacturing technique. / Master of Science

El objetivo de la presente tesis es el desarrollo de una metodología original para el diseño óptimo de los procesos de transferencia de resina con ayuda de vacío en la fabricación de materiales compuestos de matriz polimérica. Se trata de un sistema experto que permite reducir el esfuerzo necesario para la optimización del proceso de fabricación y la eliminación de una estrategia basada en el ensayo y error en favor del prototipado virtual en el diseño de los utillajes necesarios. Para la puesta en marcha y validación del sistema experto se han desarrollado las siguientes aportaciones originales: 1. Se ha desarrollado y puesto en marcha un dispositivo experimental original para la caracterización de la permeabilidad flexible de preformas con el ánimo de desarrollar una estrategia de simulación rápida, con reducido esfuerzo computacional y limitada necesidad de determinación experimental de las características del refuerzo (permeabilidad) que permita el diseño preliminar de moldes de infusión con garantía de llenado de la cavidad y tiempos de ciclo reducidos. 2. Se ha puesto en marcha el banco de permeabilidad flexible con una serie de refuerzos típicamente utilizados en la tecnología de materiales compuestos, tales como mats de fibras continuas, tejidos multidireccionales, tejidos híbridos con núcleo para facilitar el paso de la resina y tejidos realizados con fibras de origen natural. Se estudia además en el presente trabajo cómo influyen los radios de curvatura del molde sobre elementos tales como núcleos en el flujo de la resina. 3. Se ha investigado también en el presente trabajo cómo monitorizar la posición del frente de flujo de resina y el grado de curado de la misma con el tiempo. Se han probado con éxito los sensores denominados de flujo de calor en dispositivos de infusión, que permiten registrar la transferencia de energía debida, por un lado, a la diferencia de temperatura entre la resina y el molde a su paso por el sensor y, por otro, a la reacción de p / Díaz Escriche, E. (2012). Simulación y control de los procesos de transferencia de resina en moldes flexibles mediante modelos de permeabilidad equivalente [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/17321 / Palancia

Composite flow simulation tools for LCM processing can be expensive and time-consuming but necessary to design a mold system with proper placement of resin inlets and vacuum outlets. Composites manufacturing engineers would benefit from data regarding the impact of mold curvature radius on resin flow. This could help determine whether or not a particular part and mold would require expensive simulation software designed to handle complex flow paths through curved fabric architectures exhibiting variable permeability over the curvature, or if simple flow modeling would provide accurate enough simulations for sound tooling setup decision making. Four molds, with double curvature having equal radii, were fabricated with radii ranging from 3.2 to 25.4 mm to characterize the permeability of two different fiber reinforcements 1) a carbon biaxial NCF and 2) a fiberglass CSM over the mold curvatures. Three infusions of each material type were conducted on each of the 4 molds for a total of 24 test infusions. Flow front position vs. time data was captured during each experimental infusion. The permeability in the bend regions, KB, was first estimated by the integrated form of Darcy's Law to evaluate the permeability for average flow across the entire bend region. This was done for both the convex and concave regions using a geometric estimate for the increased compaction in the bend regions. The permeability increases as the tool radius increases, and the rate of increase diminishes as the tool radius increases and the permeability approaches the flat region permeability. An estimate of KB for VI was then made by applying a ratio calculated from the resulting permeability from the rigid- and VI-based models in the flat regions. Generic power law fits are reported that could be used in LCM process simulation, to give a model to estimate the permeability for any bend in the reinforcement part geometry. The results suggest that any curve with a radius higher than 25 mm requires no adjustment to the flat permeability.

Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) processes are becoming promising technologies in the manufacturing of primary composite structures in the aircraft industry as well as infrastructure. A great deal of work still needs to be done on efforts to reduce the costly trial-and-error methods of VARTM processing that are currently in practice today. A computer simulation model of the VARTM process would provide a cost-effective tool in the manufacturing of composites utilizing this technique. Therefore, the objective of this research was to modify an existing three-dimensional, Resin Film Infusion (RFI)/Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) model to include VARTM simulation capabilities and to verify this model with the fabrication of aircraft structural composites. An additional objective was to use the VARTM model as a process analysis tool, where this tool would enable the user to configure the best process for manufacturing quality composites. Experimental verification of the model was performed by processing several flat composite panels. The parameters verified included flow front patterns and infiltration times. The flow front patterns were determined to be qualitatively accurate, while the simulated infiltration times over predicted experimental times by 8 to 10%. Capillary and gravitational forces were incorporated into the existing RFI/RTM model in order to simulate VARTM processing physics more accurately. The theoretical capillary pressure showed the capability to reduce the simulated infiltration times by as great as 6%. The gravity, on the other hand, was found to be negligible for all cases. Finally, the VARTM model was used as a process analysis tool. This enabled the user to determine such important process constraints as the location and type of injection ports and the permeability and location of the high-permeable media. A process for a three-stiffener composite panel was proposed. This configuration evolved from the variation of the process constraints in the modeling of several different composite panels. The configuration was proposed by considering such factors as: infiltration time, the number of vacuum ports, and possible areas of void entrapment. / Ph. D.

Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is a low cost resin infusion process being developed for the manufacture of composite structures. VARTM is being evaluated for the manufacture of primary aircraft structures, including foam sandwich composite materials. One of the benefits of VARTM is the ability to resin infiltrate large or complex shaped components. However, trial and error process development of these types of composite structures can prove costly and ineffective. Therefore, process modeling of the associated flow details and infiltration times can aide in manufacturing design and optimization. The purpose of this research was to develop a process using VARTM to resin infiltrate stitched and unstitched dry carbon fiber preforms with polymethacrylimide foam cores to produce composite sandwich structures. The infiltration process was then used to experimentally verify a three-dimensional finite element model for VARTM injection of stitched sandwich structures. Using the processes developed for the resin infiltration of stitched foam core preforms, visualization experiments were performed to verify the finite element model. The flow front progression as a function of time and the total infiltration time were recorded and compared with model predictions. Four preform configurations were examined in which foam thickness and stitch row spacing were varied. For the preform with 12.7 mm thick foam core and 12.7 mm stitch row spacing, model prediction and experimental data agreed within 5%. The 12.7 mm thick foam core preform with 6.35 mm row spacing experimental and model predicted data agreed within 8%. However, for the 12.7 mm thick foam core preform with 25.4 mm row spacing, the model overpredicted infiltration times by more 20%. The final case was the 25.4 mm thick foam core preform with 12.7 mm row spacing. In this case, the model overpredicted infiltration times by more than 50%. This indicates that the model did not accurately describe flow through the needle perforations in the foam core and could be addressed by changing the mesh elements connecting the two face sheets. / Master of Science

Cette étude portait sur l’évaluation des performances mécaniques et des mécanismes de défaillance des composites cousus dans différentes conditions de chargement. Des plaques stratifiées et des raidisseurs renforcés par tufting ont été fabriqués avec différents paramètres de couture afin d'évaluer leur effet sur les propriétés des composites. L'investigation a été assistée par une caractérisation multi-instrumentée pendant les tests. Les plaques cousues soumises à des tests de cisaillement à poutre courte sont utilisées dans l'analyse du comportement de la densité et de l'angle de couture dans des conditions de chargement en mode II, tandis que des tests d'impact et de compression après impact (CAI) sur la tolérance aux dommages. Des tests de fatigue en éprouvettes trouées ont également été réalisés afin d’évaluer la réponse des coutures, en particulier leur position par rapport au trou central, à la concentration de déformation générée par le trou. La suite de ce travail a consisté en des tests mécaniques sur panneau raidi oméga renforcé par tufting. La procédure a optimisé les paramètres de touffetage utilisés pour renforcer les structures du lot précédent d'échantillons jusqu'à atteindre un point optimal où les propriétés principales, principalement trouvées dans les tests d'arrachement, sont égales ou supérieures à celles des échantillons témoins. Cette amélioration tenait également compte des modifications de la forme des raidisseurs. En outre, une nouvelle approche basée sur l’effet piézorésistif des coutures en fibres de carbone lors du chargement des éprouvettes composites est réalisée. Cela peut faciliter la surveillance de l’état de santé des fils cousus et donc du composite en raison de la nature structurelle des coutures. Les résultats ont montré que les renforts par tufting sont capables d'augmenter considérablement la ténacité entre les composites et la tolérance aux endommagements des composites, principalement en raison de leurs phénomènes de pontage des fissures. Les paramètres de tufting sont des facteurs décisifs pour obtenir les meilleures propriétés mécaniques. Cependant, ces travaux ont montré que les fils de coutures sont également responsables de la création de fissures dues à la concentration de contrainte et aux défauts causés par leur insertion et, par conséquent, à la diminution de la résistance des composites. L'enquête conclut que l'insertion aléatoire des touffes n'est pas idéale pour la performance du matériau et doit donc être évitée. Le développement de l'insertion des coutures dans les raidisseurs oméga a été soutenu par la caractérisation multi-instrumentée qui a permis d'optimiser le renforcement de la structure. Bien que l’étude ait permis d’obtenir des propriétés mécaniques nettement supérieures à celles des panneaux oméga renforcés par touffetage, il est évident que la procédure employée n’est pas optimale. Le présent travail propose également un modèle préliminaire d'éléments finis pour surmonter le coût et la perte de temps des tests expérimentaux. Il vise principalement à optimiser les paramètres de tufting dans la structure. Le modèle développé était capable de prédire les mêmes endommagements que ceux observés expérimentalement, mais encore éloignés des prévisions quantitatives des résultats. Le contrôle de l’état structurel des stratifiés composites cousus par les fils de carbone semble prometteur et pourrait aider à l’avenir à fournir des informations sur l’état de santé des coutures sous chargement qui ne sont pas atteintes par les méthodes de caractérisation classiques utilisées dans ce travail. / This study focused mainly on the assessment of the mechanical performance and the failure mechanisms of tufted composites under divers loading conditions. Laminated plates and stiffened panels reinforced by tufting was manufactured with different tufting parameters to evaluate their effect in the properties of the composites. Multi-instrumented characterization carried out during the tests assisted the investigation. The tufted plates subjected to short-beam shear tests aided especially in the behavior analysis of tufting density and angle in mode Il loading condition, while impact and compression after impact (CAI) tests on the damage tolerance. Open-hole fatigue tests were also performed to evaluate the tufts response, especially regarding their position to the center hole, to the strain concentration factor generated by the hole. The following part of this work consisted of the mechanical tests on omega stiffened panel reinforced by tufting. The procedure optimized the tufting parameters employed for reinforcing the structures from the previous batch of specimens until reaching an optimal point that the main properties, primarily found in pull-off tests, are equal or superior to those of the control specimens. This improvement also considered the modifications in the shape of the stiffeners. Furthermore, a novel approach based on the piezoresistive effect of carbon tufts under loading of the composite specimens is performed. This may support the monitoring of the health status on the tufted threads and therefore of the composite because of the structural nature of the tufts. The results showed that tufting reinforcements are capable of increasing the interlaminar fracture toughness and damage tolerance of the composites considerably owing mainly to their crack bridging phenomena. The tufting parameters are decisive factors for achieving the best mechanical properties. However, this work reported that tuft threads are also responsible for generating cracks due to the strain concentration and defects caused by their insertion and consequently, can decrease the strength of the composites. The investigation concludes that the random insertion of the tufts is not ideal for the performance of the material and thus must be avoided. The development of the tufting insertion in the omega stiffeners was supported by the multi-instrumented characterization that led to optimizing reinforcement in the structure. Although the study achieved the goal of obtaining mechanical properties significantly superior to the omega panels reinforced by tufting, it is noticeable that the procedure employed is not optimal. The present work also proposes a preliminary finite element model to overcome the costly and time consuming of the experimental tests. It intends primarily optimizing the tufting parameters in the structure. The model developed was capable of predicting the same damage events as observed experimentally, but it still distant from the quantitative predictions of the results. The structural health monitoring of the tufted composite laminates by the carbon threads seems promising and could help in the future for supplying data about the tufts health status under loading that are not achieved by the conventional characterization methods employed in this work.

Tillämpningen av fiberförstärkt polymerkomposit har senaste decenniet ökat kraftigt inom flertalet högteknologiska branscher. Trots framgången är förekomsten av tillverkningsinducerade avvikelser fortfarande en utmaning. Avvikelserna försämrar materialets mekaniska egenskaper och förkortar dess livslängd, vilket orsakar kassationer, miljöbelastningar och försvårad produktetablering för industriaktörer. ABB Composites i Piteå står inför en liknande situation. Företaget producerar cylindriska isolatorer i fiberförstärkt komposit till högspänningsindustrin, och behöver utreda förekomsten av en specifik avvikelse, som under senaste tre åren medfört omfattande kvalitetsbristkostnader. Produkten tillverkas genom vakuuminjicering där en hartsblandning impregnerar en glasfiberform, för att sedan övergå från flytande till fast form genom en exoterm reaktion. Hartsblandningens reaktionsförlopp har länge misstänkts påverka avvikelsernas förekomst, men har inte bekräftats, på grund av flera svårkontrollerade egenskaper. Examensarbetets syfte har därför varit att utreda om hartsblandningens egenskaper påverkar förekomsten av tillverkningsinducerade avvikelser vid tillverkning av cylindriska isolatorer. Arbetet har bedrivits som ett Sex Sigma-projekt enligt problemlösningsmetodiken DMAIC. Ett blandningsexperiment med sex komponenter genomfördes i laborationsmiljö där en datagenererad design med 36 delförsök tillämpades, varav sex stycken egenskaper hos hartsblandningen undersöktes. Experimentet påvisade att samtliga egenskaper var möjliga att styra genom att förändra proportionerna av ingredienserna. Däremot visade sig flera av egenskaperna vara korrelerade och kan därav inte justeras oberoende av varandra. Kunskapen användes till att utveckla och testa två nya varianter av hartsblandningen vid tillverkning av cylindriska isolatorer. Resultatet bekräftade att hartsblandningens egenskaper signifikant påverkar förekomsten av tillverkningsinducerade avvikelser. En viss kombination av egenskaperna som kännetecknade ett långsamt reaktionsförlopp minskade förekomsten av avvikelser på isolatorerna med 99.3 procent i jämförelse med den ordinarie hartsblandningen. Förbättringen förväntas medföra betydelsefulla besparingar, ökad konkurrenskraft och förhöjd kvalitetsmedvetenhet för ABB Composites. Examensarbetets kunskapsbidrag anses också betydelsefullt för kompositindustrin i strävan mot fortsatt reducering av tillverkningsinducerade avvikelser. / The application of fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPC) have during the last decades increased in many high-tech industries. Despite the success, the existence of manufacturing-induced deviations has been a long-standing challenge. These deviations affect the lifetime and the mechanical properties of the composite, which in turn lead to scrap of products and environmental impact, obstructing market exploitation for industry stakeholders. ABB Composites in Piteå is facing a similar scenario. The company produces cylindrical insulators in fibre-reinforced composite for the high-voltage industry and need to investigate a specific deviation, which has caused extensive costs during the last three years. The product is manufactured through vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), where a resin blend impregnates a fibreglass preform, as the resin cures and transforms from liquid to solid form through an exothermic reaction. One suspected cause for the deviation has been the curing process of the resin. However, it is dependent on several difficult-to-control characteristics and is yet to be confirmed. The purpose of this thesis has therefore been to investigate whether the characteristics of the resin blend affects the occurrence of manufacturing-induced deviations while producing cylindrical insulators. The work has been conducted as an internal Six Sigma-project following the DMAIC improvement cycle. A mixture experiment with six components was performed, using a computer-generated design with 36 runs, in which six characteristics of the resin blend were examined. The experiment proved that all characteristics could be controlled by changing the proportions of the design factors. However, many of the characteristics were correlated, implying that the characteristics cannot be independently controlled. The knowledge from the experiment were used to develop two new resin blends, which were infused to cylindrical insulators in regular production environment. The result confirmed that the characteristics of the resin blend significantly affects the quality of the insulator. One of the blends, which represented a slower curing process, reduced the deviations by 99.3 percent in relation to the original blend. The improvement is expected to generate substantial savings, increased competitiveness and enhanced quality awareness for ABB Composites. Possible contributions to the industry are related to the development of a method to experimentally investigate the resin blend with the objective of reducing manufacturing-induced deviations.

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