RESIN INFUSION UNDER FLEXIBLE TOOLING (RIFT) - A REVIEW

Increasing legislation to limit styrene emissions (mainly from polyest er resin systems) into the work place has been the key factor in promo ting new technology in the manufacture of fibre reinforced plastics co mposites. Styrene emissions can be reduced by the development of: resi n systems with low styrene emission; improved ventilation and air filt ering systems; closed moulding techniques. It is the final area on whi ch this paper concentrates. RIFT is a variant of vacuum-driven RTM in which one of the solid tool faces is replaced by a flexible polymeric film. The process is known by several acronyms-in this paper it is ref erred to as RIFT (Resin Infusion under Flexible Tooling). Potentially a very clean and economical composites manufacturing method, the proce ss draws resin into a dry reinforcement on an evacuated vacuum bagged tool using only the partial vacuum to drive the resin. It reduces work er contact with liquid resin whilst increasing component mechanical pr operties and fibre content by reducing voidage compared to hand lay-up . For higher performance composites, RIFT offers the potential for red uced tooling costs where matched tooling (RTM or compression moulding) is currently used. This paper reviews the progress of RIFT from its f irst development as the Marco method in 1950 to the Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Manufacture Process (SCRIMP) today. Development of the process has been slow (compared to RTM) and generally lacking in scie ntific rigour. Current research is reviewed and the potential for scie ntific development is discussed. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.