Process parameters minimal temperature dependence

Minimizing the cycle time in filament wound composites can be critical to the economic success of the process. The process parameters that influence the cycle time are winding speed, molding temperature and polymer formulation. To optimize the process, a finite element analysis (FEA) was used to characterize the effect of each process parameter on the cycle time. The FEA simultaneously solved equations of mass and energy which were coupled through the temperature and conversion dependent reaction rate. The rate expression accounting for polymer cure rate was derived from a mechanistic kinetic model. 

Anyway, the surface area of a given membrane depends on the flow rate, the thickness of the layer, the pressure difference, and the temperature. Compatibly with specific requirements of the process, required membrane surface can be minimized through a suitable choice of the operating parameters, especially of the pressures. This is an important issue due to the generally high specific cost of selective membranes. 

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