Computational Analysis of the Vacuum Infusion Process of Reactive Thermosetting Resin

In this paper a computational model for the simulation of the impregnation stage of fibrous preform in a LCM process is proposed and analyzed. Thermo-chemical and rheological effects related to the resin reaction have been taken into account. The model is based on the solution, based on a finite volume approach, of the continuity, momentum, and energy equations. As a first approximation, thickness variations of the preform have been assumed as negligible. The used model has been validated by comparison with analytical solution in closed form. The influence of the resin cure reaction on the impregnation process has also been investigated.