The use of automated image analysis for the investigation of fabric architecture on the processing and properties of fibre-reinforced composites produced by RTM

N. R.L. Pearce*, F. J. Guild, J. Summerscales

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The use of resin transfer moulding (RTM) as an economic means of producing high performance fibre-reinforced composites is critically limited by the permeability of the fabrics employed. Commercial fabrics are available where the architecture of their reinforcement is designed to cluster the fibres, giving higher permeabilities than conventional fabrics. This has been shown to improve processing times but there is evidence that such clustering is detrimental to mechanical performance. The objective of this work was to relate variations in permeability, mechanical performance and microstructure. This was achieved by producing carbon/epoxy plates of differing weave styles by RTM in a transparent mould. Permeabilities were calculated. Interlaminar shear, tensile and compressive tests were performed and fractal analysis was carried out to obtain fractal dimensions for the three fabrics. Variations in permeabilities and mechanical properties can be related to observed differences in the microstructure. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)829-837
Number of pages0
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume29
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1998

Keywords

  • automated image analysis
  • fibre-reinforced composites
  • resin transfer moulding (RTM)
  • FLOW
  • MICROSTRUCTURE
  • LIQUID
  • MODEL

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