Compression responses of preform in vacuum infusion process

Abstract

The final thickness of a product after the vacuum infusion process (VIP), which is equal to the fiber volume fraction, depends in part on the compression responses of the preform because one of the mold faces is flexible in VIP. This study aims at investigating the compression responses of different fabrics under dry or wet conditions. The main factors affecting the compression response under investigation include, the vacuum pressure, the loading and unloading repeatability on the preform, the layup design, the kinds of fabrics, and the resin viscosity. Besides, the effects of some internal factors such as nesting and elastic recovery of fibers, lubrication of resin, friction between fibers, and so on, are also studied. In the end, this article expatiates the meaning of the matching requirements of the permeability of the preform and that of the distribution medium.