Data validation procedures for the automated determination of the two-dimensional permeability tensor of a fabric reinforcement

The simulation of the resin transfer moulding process requires high quality data to permit accurate prediction of mould-fill isochrones and fill-times. A key parameter is the permeability of the reinforcement through which the resin will flow. Several laboratories around the world have developed techniques to determine the permeability of the reinforcement. However, there is considerable variation between the results obtained on similar materials. The technique adopted at Plymouth utilises radial wetting flow in a square mould with one transparent face. The experimental apparatus has been funded by a BRITE/EurAM II project (BE5477). The calculation of the permeability values uses the models proposed by Adams, Russel and Rebenfeld and by Chan and Hwang. The flow front isochrones are recorded digitally using a video frame grabber and Foster Findlay C_ Images software. This paper proposes a series of graphical checks on the data which should be adopted for data validation during the automated determination of the principal values of the permeability tensor from radial flow experiments.