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Numerical analysis of promoted polyester and vinylester reinforced composites in RTM molds
Author(s) -
Yousefi A.,
Lafleur P. G.,
Gauvin R.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.11719
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , polyester , transfer molding , glass fiber , composite number , polyester resin , mold , finite element method , thermal conduction , reinforcement , thermosetting polymer , molding (decorative) , structural engineering , engineering
Abstract This article presents a one‐dimensional simulation of the post‐filling period in the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. In this work, transient heat conduction and kinetic of cure equations were solved simultaneously using the Galerkin finite element method. The kinetic models employed in this study were developed with regard to the effects of additives frequently used in the formulation of composite parts (e.g., promoting agents and reinforcements). These specialized kinetic models enabled us to predict the influence of incorporated reinforcement on the process variables, e.g., gel time and demold time, and on the distributions of temperature and extent of cure in through‐the‐thickness direction of the polyester‐based and vinylester‐based composites. It was shown that in the case of vinylester, the incorporation of glass fibers gave rise to a severe inhibition of the cure reactions at high conversions. The inhibiting effect of glass fibers in polyester‐based formulation was found less significant, and the delay in the exotherm temperature peak was mainly attributed to the thermal effects induced in the presence of glass fibers. The numerical predictions were compared with the experimental data obtained in a heated mold for a reinforced polyester part.