To Study effect of VARTM process parameters for composite strength: Taguchi approach

Abstract

Vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) has become well known fibre reinforced composite (FRC) manufacturing technique for various applications like boat hull, automobile parts, wind blades, aircraft parts etc. As name suggests, vacuum is used to assist resin to flow inside fabric during impregnation. The flow of resin happens due to the pressure difference created due to vacuum supply pipe (at vacuum pressure) and resin supply pipe (at atmospheric pressure). The flow of resin bonds the fabric to make a solid part. Various parameters affect the quality of part produced by VARTM. In this paper effect of three process parameters were studied, which include number of layers, position of resin supply and vacuum supply location. Each parameter with three levels was studied to find the effect of these parameters on tensile strength and flow velocity. Jute and polyester resin were selected as material to prepare laminates. The experiments were performed as per Taguchi Orthogonal Array L(9). It has been observed that the mechanical properties were best achieved when position of resin supply was at middle, vacuum supply location was from edge to centre and numbers of layers were five.