Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. 3D spacers enhance flow kinetics in resin transfer molding with woven fabrics
 
research article

3D spacers enhance flow kinetics in resin transfer molding with woven fabrics

Salvatori, Damiano
•
Caglar, Baris
•
Michaud, Véronique  
2019
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

Impregnation time in Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is directly proportional to resin viscosity and inversely proportional to fabric permeability, limiting the use of high-viscosity resins with conventional reinforcements. In this study, we show how to reduce the impregnation time in RTM by introducing a second solid phase (spacer) in the core of a fabric stack, fabricated by 3D-printing of a polymer phase, which can remain intact or collapse after resin impregnation. An increase of almost two orders of magnitude of the in-plane flow kinetics was obtained, with, however, exacerbated dual-scale flow behavior. The spacers were most effective when an alternative two-step impregnation strategy was adopted, allowing 75% reduction of impregnation time. As proof of concept, two composite plates with spacers made of either poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or polycaprolactone (PCL) were produced via RTM with epoxy resin to demonstrate respectively a stiffening (+20% bending modulus) or collapse of the spacer through melting of the PCL during epoxy cure.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.compositesa.2019.01.023
Author(s)
Salvatori, Damiano
Caglar, Baris
Michaud, Véronique  
Date Issued

2019

Published in
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume

119

Start page

206

End page

216

Subjects

Preform

•

Permeability

•

3-D printing

•

Resin transfer moulding (RTM)

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LPAC  
Available on Infoscience
March 15, 2019
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/155597
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés