Stabilizing textile preforms by means of liquid resin print: a feasibility study

Abstract

This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating stable, preconsolidated, yet permeable preforms for liquid resin infusion (RIFT) manufacture of composite materials. While being one of the cheapest and simplest methods of composites manufacture, RIFT with flexible tooling is known for high risk of dimensional and internal defects due to insufficient consolidation of textile preforms. Achieving the quality of a rigid mold solution, at the cost and simplicity of a flexible mold process, is the principal challenge of the RIFT.The approach presented suggests stabilizing a compliant preform through pointwise and highly controlled integration of a binder, and its consolidation prior to liquid molding. The printed resin creates a stiff skeleton, securing material for resin infusion and curing. This study explores the feasibility and efficiency of novel binding techniques, and the effects it may have on preform properties. Successful implementation of the concept for a multiply woven preform is demonstrated and the concept potential is discussed.

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“…Many of the aforementioned high‐performance resins and their formulations were not been effectively utilized during the past have now become feasible for making unique, specific, and customized components …”

Influence of test fluids on the permeability of epoxy powder bindered non-crimp fabrics

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Advanced Manufacturing: Polymer & Composites Science–The First Issue

“…This aspect has been covered by a study introducing a liquid resin printing technique into stabilising textile preforms, offering a potentially new manufacturing route to introducing combinations of resins that may not be compatible through mixing techniques. 5 The complex textile preform used in this study is featured on the journal's cover.…”