A novel reinforcement characterization framework for liquid composite molding processes

Rehan Umer, Muhammad Ali, Kamran Kihan, Wesley Cantwell

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) processes are widely used manufacturing techniques in many industries including, aerospace, automotive, and marine. In order to create quality parts using LCM processes, reinforcement characterization such as, permeability and compaction response need to be performed fast and accurately. In this work, we propose an experimental and numerical reinforcement compaction and permeability characterization framework which can potentially reduce manufacturing cost by lowering material consumption and labor time and effort. The framework is non-destructive in nature, which uses in-situ X-ray micro computed tomography (XCT) experimental set-up to obtain reinforcement compaction response at different fiber volume fractions. In the numerical step, the preform permeability is predicted through computer simulations using computational unit cells extracted from the reconstructed 3D models from XCT scans. The proposed approach has the capability of obtaining a plethora of information about the preform including, compaction response, statistical measurements of the internal preform geometry, and voxel models for numerical simulations. The methodology has been successfully demonstrated using a 3D angle interlock fabric. The method has been validated by comparing the computed permeability values with benchmark experimental data with excellent agreement.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationProceedings of the American Society for Composites - 34th Technical Conference, ASC 2019
EditorsKyriaki Kalaitzidou
ISBN (Electronic)9781605956022
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event34th Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites, ASC 2019 - Atlanta, United States
Duration: 23 Sep 201925 Sep 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the American Society for Composites - 34th Technical Conference, ASC 2019

Conference

Conference34th Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites, ASC 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta
Period23/09/1925/09/19

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