Numerical modeling of mold filling and curing in non-isothermal RTM process

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is a composite manufacturing process. A preformed fiber is placed in a closed mold and a viscous resin is injected into the mold. In this paper, a model is developed to predict the flow pattern, extent of reaction and temperature change during filling and curing in a thin rectangular mold. A numerical simulation is presented to predict the free surface and its interactions with heat transfer and cure for flow of a shear-thinning resin through the preformed fiber. To verify the model results, the temperature profiles for preformed fiber has been calculated, and compared with the experimental results of the other researchers. The results showed that, the heat dispersion for a viscous fluid saturating a heater fibrous porous media is an important phenomena in RTM process. Also, because of the mold thickness is much less than its in-plane dimensions, the through thickness dispersion (kdyy) has a strong effect on the non-isothermal process.