Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) is widely used for large-scale composite manufacturing of civil and defense applications. Here, the infusion process reduces part costs due to a decrease in labor, material, and equipment expenses compared to other composite manufacturing techniques. However, in order to replace conventional manufacturing methods for aerospace-quality parts such as autoclave processing, the VARTM process repeatability and part quality must be improved. The Vacuum-Assisted Process (VAP) (Filsinger, J., Lorenz, T., Stadler, F. and Utecht, S. (2001). Method and Device for Producing Fiber-reinforced Components Using an Injection Method, German Patent WO 01/68353 A1.) developed and patented by EADS Deutschland uses a gas-permeable membrane to allow for uniform vacuum distribution and continuing degassing of the infused resin.W.L. Gore & Assoc. GmbH has developed a suitable membrane in co-operation with EADS. The membrane is placed over the fabric layers, sealed to the tool, and connected to the vent to allow uniform vacuum on the fabric surface. The VAP results in a more robust VARTM process that minimizes the potential for dry spot formation as well as lower void content and improved dimensional tolerances. This research quantifies the performance improvements and compares them to the Seemann Composite Resin Infusion Process (Seemann, William (1991). Plastic Transfer Molding Apparatus for the Production of Fiber Reinforced Plastic Structures, U.S. Patent, 5,052,906) (SCRIMP), the most common variation of the VARTM process.

Keywords

vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM)vacuum assisted process (VAP)membrane

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Filsinger, J., Lorenz, T., Stadler, F. and Utecht, S. (2001). Method and Device for Producing Fiber-reinforced Components Using an Injection Method, German Patent WO 01/68353 A1.

2. Seemann, William H. (1991). Plastic Transfer Molding Apparatus for the Production of Fiber Reinforced Plastic Structures, U.S. Patent, 5,052,906.

3. Lazarus, Paul (1996). Resin Infusion of Marine Composites, In: 41st International SAMPE Symposium, pp. 1447–1458.

4. Nguyen, Loc B. , Juska, Thomas and Mayes, J. Steven (1997). Evaluation of Low Cost Manufacturing Technologies for Large Scale Composite Ship Structures, Collection of Technical Papers – AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics & Materials Conference, Vol. 2, April 7–10, pp. 992–1001.

5. Cairns, D.S. and Skramstad, J.D. (2000). Evaluation of Hand Lay-up and Resin Transfer Molding in Composite Wind Turbine Blade Structures, International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition, V45 (I), pp. 967–980.

6. Chajes, M.J. , Gillespie J.W. Jr. , Mertz, D.R. , Shenton III, H.W. and Eckel II, D.A. (2000). Delaware’s First All-Composite Bridge, In: ASCE Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

7. Lewit, Scott M. and Jakubowski, John C. (1997). Low Cost VARTM Process for Commercial and Military Applications, In: 42nd International SAMPE Symposium, pp. 1173–1187.

8. Pike, T. , McArthur, M. and Schade, D. (1996). Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding of a Layered Structural Laminate for Application on Ground Combat Vehicles, In: International SAMPE Technical Conference, Vol. 28, Nov 4–7, pp. 374–380.

9. Wienhold, Paul D. and Wozniak, John J. Application of SCRIMP VARTM Fabrication Technology to the Compressed Natural Gas Integrated Storage System, In: International SAMPE Technical Conference, Vol. 29, Oct 28–Nov 1, pp. 67–76.

10.

10. Beckwith, Scott W. and Hyland, Craig R. (1998). Resin Transfer Molding: A Decade of Technology Advances, SAMPE Journal, 34(6): 7–19.

11.

11. Heider, D. , Hofmann, C. and Gillespie, J.W. Jr. (2000). Automation and Control of Large-Scale Composite Parts by VARTM Processing, In: Proceeding of the 45th International SAMPE Symposium Exhibition, Bridging the Centuries with SAMPE’s Materials and Processes Technology, Long Beach, CA.

12.

12. Bradley, J.E. , Fink, B.K. and Gillespie, J.W. Jr. (1998). On-Line Process Monitoring and Analysis of Large Thick-Section Composite Parts Utilizing SMARTWeave In-Situ Sensing Technology, In: Proceedings of the 43rd International SAMPE Symposium/Exhibition: Materials and Process Affordability – Keys to the Future, Covina, CA.

13.

13. England, K.M. , Gillespie, J.W. Jr. and Fink, B.K. (2001). Ionic Doping of Low-Conductivity Structural Resins for Improved Direct Current Sensing, Journal of Composite Materials, 35(15).

14.

14. Hsiao, K.T. , Mathur, R. , Gillespie, J.W. , Fink, B.K. and Advani, S.G. (2000). A Closed Form Solution for the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process, Journal of Manufacturing Science, 122: 463–472.

15.

15. Mathur, R. , Heider, D. , Hoffmann, C. , Gillespie, J.W. Jr. , Advani, S.G. and Fink, B.K. (2001). Flow Front Measurements and Model Validation in the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process, Polymer Composites, 22: 477–490.

16.

16. Hsiao, K.T. , Gillespie, J.W. Jr. , Advani, S.G. and Fink, B.K. (2001). Role of Vacuum Pressure and Port Locations on Flow Front Control for Liquid Composite Molding Processes, Polymer Composites, 22: 660–668.

17.

17. Atluri, S.N. and Brust, F.W. (2000). Advances in Computational Engineering and Sciences, Vol. 1, pp. 138–144, Tech. Science Press, ISBN: 0965700135.

Process and Performance Evaluation of the Vacuum-Assisted Process

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References