Numerical Prediction of Temperature Distribution in Transient RTM Process

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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, the temperature profiles for preformed fiber have been calculated, and compared with the experimental results of other researchers. The results showed that, to optimize better quality of production of composite materials, while considering the effect of curing on temperature distribution during the process,  the  heat dispersion term should not be neglected.