Resin Flow in Porous-Fibrous Media: An Application to Polymer Composite Manufacturing

Abstract

This chapter aims to present a theoretical study of the fluid flow in porous media, with particular reference to manufacturing of polymer composites reinforced with fibers via resin transfer molding process. The mass and momentum conservation equations, including the effect of resin sorption by the fibers, and Darcy's law, are presented, and the analytical solution of the governing equation is obtained via method of separation of variables. Predicted results of the flow front, velocity, volumetric flow rate and pressure fields of the resin inside the model, during the injection process, are presented, and the effects of the injection pressure, resin viscosity and sorption term, are also analyzed.