Vacuum-assisted resin transfer

Figure 3.6 Vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM).

Abraham D, McIIhagger R. Vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding for high performance carbon fibre composites. In Proceedings of the 4th international conference on automated composites, ICAC95. Nottingham 1995. pp. 299—306. 

Hsiao K-T, Heider D. Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) in polymer matrix composites. In Advani S, Hsiao K-T, editors. Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs). Cambridge (UK) Woodhead Publishing Limited 2012. 

Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is a process to form and shape FRP composites. Fibers are layered on a solid mold base and covered by a vacuum bag. By generating a vacuum, the vacuum bag is compacted owing to the action of atmospheric pressure, and, therefore, air bubbles are ehminated. Porous fabrics absorb excess resin and the entire material is cured to obtain better mechanical properties. This processing technology is suitable to a certain level of automation and ensures a good geometrical control and a smooth surface. 

G. Francucci, A. Vazquez, E. Ruiz and E. S. Rodriguez, Capillary Effects in Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding With Natural Fibers, Polymer Composites, 2012, 1593. 

VARTM Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding... 

Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding is not the same as applying a vacnum with RTM because ... 

Vaidya UK, Jadhav NC, Hosur MV, Gillespie JW, Fink BK, Assessment of flow and cure monitoring using direct current and alternating current sensing in vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, Smart Materials and Structures, UK, 9(6), 727-736, 2000. 

The vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) process is a variant of vacuum-infusion RTM in which one of the solid tool faces is replaced by a flexible polymeric film (Fig. 23.14). 

Flax, recycled paper chicken feathers and E-glass fiber Soybean oil-based resin Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding Structural panels and unit beams [21]... 

Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM)... 

Vacuum infusion process (VIP), generally referred to as vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM), in which the resin is introduced into the mould and the preform at less than atmospheric pressure (i.e. a vacuum). 

Various processes, such as RTM (resin transfer molding), VARTM (vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding), and RFl (resin film infusion) can be used to make composite parts. 

Occasionally, fibers or tows are inserted or laid into a shape as a preform, and the whole preform is subjected to the injection of the resin system under pressure, such as resin transfer molding (RTM) vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VaRTM) or even partial injection of the resin or part of the resin system, with the same qualified resin transfer molding (SqRTM) process. In every case, there is the real possibility of fibers moving under the influence of the injected resin, producing considerable doubt as to the final formal structure, position, or integrity of the fibers after molding. 

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