Study Of Impregnation Process And Application Foundation On The VARTM Molding Process

Resin transfer molding (referred to as RTM) process is an advanced composite liquidmolding technology, which has been developed rapidly in recent years, and because of theadvantages of its low investment, good quality and high efficient production, this technologyhas been widely used in the aerospace, automobile manufacturing. Vacuum assisted resintransfer molding process (referred to as VARTM), which developed on the basis of the RTMprocess, can not only reduce the porosity of the composite material, improve the fiber contentbut also greatly reduces the manufacturing cost of the mold.In this paper the key technologies of the resin transfer molding molding process has beensystematically studied, such as matrix resin, enhance fiber, molding process simulation,mould making and molding process, and to car bumper for example the process has beenapplied to practical production process:First, according to the requirements of the resin transfer molding process of the matrixresin. By the study of 4 different resin’s viscosity, gel times and so on, The unsaturatedpolyester resin has been found out, which is apply to the VARTM process, and using theArrhenius’ equation developed the system of chemical rheological model to simulate and warnthe viscosity.Second, the application of plant fiber on composites has been studied: through the alkalitreatment, potassium permanganate treatment, heat treatment change the ramie fiber’s surfaceto improve the mechanical properties of composites and reduce its water absorption; andthrough mixing with the glass fiber, a composite material with good impact properties has been obtained.Third, using the RTM-worx software simulate the resin flow, set injection port, flow, andoverflow port, find out the optimum program of the experiment, and optimized the program.Fourth, using the homemade mold, and the selected matrix resin, reinforced fiber andforming program, the car bumper was prepared.