Simulation of compression resin transfer molding with displacement control

In this paper a mathematical model of two-dimensional resin flow through fiber reinforcements in compression resin transfer molding (CRTM) is presented. The preform is partially filled by resin during the injection phase. Then it is compressed by the mobile upper part of the mold. The resin flow in the fiber bed is governed by Darcy's law according to the theory of flows in saturated porous media. The consolidation of the saturated preform is described by the total mass conservation equation. A filling algorithm based on resin conservation on a deformable grid is used to advance the flow front at each time step. Resin pressure and velocity are calculated by the finite element method. The accuracy of the model is verified by evaluation of the resin mass balance, calculation of the resin pressure and progression of the flow front in time. Comparison of predicted results with analytical solutions is also presented.