Vacuum infusion process

In the vacuum infusion process, the fibre sheets are placed in a dry state with a plastic sheet laid over the entire form to create a vacuum. Resin is introduced at one end. The vacuum enables the flow of the resin and an even distribution of the matrix through the fibres. In comparison with the hand laminating process, a higher volume of fibre can be achieved in the composite material. However, it is difficult to control the flow of the resin along edges, comers, etc. It is also not possible to vacuum-infuse honeycomb materials for a sandwich structure. 

Anderson M, Gebart BR, Landstrom S, Langstrom R, Development of guidelines for the vacuum infusion process, FRC2000 Conference, Newcastle, Sep 13-14 2000. 

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). 

Prabhakaran, R.T.D., Andersen T.L. and Lystrup,A. (2011a), Attribute based selection of thermoplastic resin for vacuum infusion process A decision making methodo ogy InternationalJoumalofManufacturing,MateriabandMechanical Engineering, Vol. 1, Issue 3, pp. 31-52. 

Yenilmez, B. and Sozer, E. M., Compaction of E-glass fabric prefonns in the vacuum infusion process. A Characterization experiments , Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing, 40(4), 499-510, 2009. 

Stadtfeld, H. C., Erninger, M., Bickerton, S. and Advani, S. G., An experimental method to continuously measure permeability of fiber preforms as a function of fiber volume fraction . Journal of Reinforced Plastics Composites, 21, 879-899, 2002. Yenihnez, B., Senan, M. and Sozer, E. M., Variation of part thickness and compaction pressure in vacuum infusion process , Composites Science and Technology, 69(11-12), 1710-1719, 2009. 

Durai Prabhakaran RT, Lystrup A, Andersen TL. Attribute based selection of thermoplastic resin for vacuum infusion process a decision making methodology. International Journal of Manufacturing, Materials and Mechanical Engineering, 2011 1(3) 31-52. DOI 10.4018/ijmmme.2011070104. 

Yenilmez B, Senan M, Sozer EM. Variation of part thickness and compaction pressure in vacuum infusion process. Composites Science and Technology, 2008 69(11-12) 1710-1719. DOI http //dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.05.009. 

Hammami A, Gebart B R (2000) Analysis of the vacuum infusion process, Polym Compos 21 28-40. 

---