A numerical study of filling process through multilayer preforms in resin injection/compression molding

In resin injection/compression molding (RI/CM), a preform often comprises layers of different fiber reinforcements. Each fiber reinforcement has unique through thickness and in-plane permeabilities as well as compressibility, creating a heterogeneous porous medium in the mold cavity. In the present article, numerical simulation is utilized to investigate the filling process of RI/CM in such a heterogeneous porous medium. The filling stage is simulated in a full three-dimensional space by using control volume/finite element method and based upon an appropriate filling algorithm. The flow in the open gap which may be present in the mold cavity is modeled by Darcy's law using an equivalent permeability. Numerical simulations of filling process for preforms containing two and three layers of different reinforcements in various stacking sequences are conducted with the aid of computer code developed in this study. Results show that the injection time as well as flow front progression depends on fiber types in the whole preform, fiber stacking sequence and open gap provided in the mold cavity. Simulated results also suggest that the presence of open gap at top of reinforcement can lead to both low injection time and uniform flow pattern. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.