A numerical simulation of the resin film infusion process

A numerical analysis was conducted for the resin film infusion (RFI) process using semi-cured thermosetting resin films. Mathematical models were developed for the compression of fiber and the viscosity of resin. The force balance between the fiber preform and the resin was considered to account for the deformation of fiber preform and the swell of fiber during the infusion. In an effort to locate the optimal process conditions such as the mold temperature, the fiber volume fraction, and the infusion pressure, a parametric study was carried out for the progression of resin and the infusion time for different process conditions. The numerical code developed in this study was found to be useful in determining the maximum height of vertical sections that can be infused by squeezing the liquefied resin film from the base panel. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.