Optimization of Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding for Sandwich Panels

Abstract

The vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) of sandwich panels may be facilitated by using high permeability layers over the skins or adding grooves in the surfaces of the core. The present paper investigates the advantages and disadvantages of both methods in terms of manufacturing cost and time through simulations and experimental observations. Before comparison, each method is optimized through simulations. The panel geometry and the injection pressure are held constant. The design parameters are the number of high permeability layers, and the number and size of grooves. The optimized processes are finally compared with each other in terms of the aforementioned cost and time. Meanwhile, the sensitivities of several important parameters in the cost model to the optimal result are studied.