Properties of CFRP by VaRTM process and its application to automobile engine hood

VaRTM 공법을 이용한 자동차용 엔진후드 개발

The using of composite material is an aviation field but it changes into a general industry. Especially composites are expanding the use on transportation vehicles like automobiles, ships, and aircrafts. The main factor of this expansion is high specific strength. It can supply a high quality and efficiency of energy. But manufacturing of composite products requires many raw materials and tooling cost for special process, so we needs a reduction of these costs to achieve best efficiency. In the present study, we contrast the change of mechanical and physical properties between VaRTM(Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding) and hand lay-up process. VaRTM process can offer a high quality the same as autoclave products, and low cost like hand lay-up process. In the results of mechanical tests, VaRTM specimen is stronger than hand lay-up specimen and hand lay-up specimen became delamination. In the results of physical tests, the resin content of VaRTM specimen is lower than hand lay-up specimen. On micrograph, the strength of specimen by VaRTM between fiber and resin is stronger than that of one by hand lay-up. And the specimen by hand lay-up contains more defects than one by VaRTM. So, VaRTM process can practically apply for automobile engine hood. This paper shows that VaRTM process is one of the most suitable processes for composite parts of automobile.