Ac. Loos et Jd. Macrae, A PROCESS SIMULATION-MODEL FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A BLADE-STIFFENED PANEL BY THE RESIN FILM INFUSION PROCESS, Composites science and technology, 56(3), 1996, pp. 273-289
An analytical model has been developed which can be used to simulate n
on-isothermal infiltration of a hot-melt resin into a textile preform
of complex shape. lit this study, the model was used to simulate the r
esin film infusion process of a single blade-stiffened panel. The deve
lopment and application of the two-dimensional model are discussed. Re
sults of the stiffened panel simulation were then used to study the ef
fects of compaction pressure on the total resin infiltration time. Als
o described is the use of the model in the development of an extended
processing cycle which ensures the complete infiltration of epoxy resi
n into the stitched graphite preform. Model predictions of temperature
, resin viscosity, and extent of cure during infiltration and cure are
presented and discussed.