• Composites Research
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.10-15
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• 2003

In RTM process, the content of microvoids can be critical due to the fact that the presence of microvoids degrades mechanical properties on the fabricated composite parts. The present paper proposes an experimental method of observation in void formation and transport. VARTM processes are performed under observation with a digital video camera and then the microvoid formation in the flow front and transport are videotaped and observed both in channels and tows. The obtained data are used in the mathematical model in order to determine the model constants. Experimental results and expected results from the mathematical model show a good agreement with each other.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.310-314
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• 2023

VaRTM(Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding) and VAP(Vacuum assisted process) processes are a type of RTM(Resin transfer molding) process, and are typical out-of-autoclave (OOA) processes that can manufacture large structures at low cost. In this paper, a resin filling test was conducted to compare the VaRTM and VAP processes, and the filling process and dimensional stability were compared. In addition, an analysis method to simulate the filling process was developed, and a dielectric sensor was used to detect the flow front of the resin, which was compared with the analysis results. From the resin filling test, the total filling time of the composite plate was measured to be 48 minutes for the VAP process and 145 minutes for the VaRTM process, and the filling time by the VAP process was reduced by about 67%. In addition, it was confirmed that the VAP process was superior to the VaRTM process in the thickness control ability and uniformity of the composite plate.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.489-494
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• 2004

Long Period Gratings (LPG) is currently receiving considerable attention because of their consistent measuring results fur pressure, temperature, strain and flow. LPG is easier to prepare and has a high sensitivity compared with Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG). In addition, this kind of optical fiber sensors could be used for implementations in various structures. In this paper, LPG was used to monitor in situ the resin flow and the curing process in VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer. Molding). In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, FBG is inserted into the glass mat to monitor the resin flow using optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). The curing reactions in VARTM are also observed using the same method. From the results, the attenuation wavelength shift and the loss change of attenuation band can be obtained from the status of the RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) sample owing to the internal variations of the .effective index, temperature, and pressure. It is shown that the proposed LPG is more effective in monitoring the curing reaction than FBG.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2014

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/epoxy composites are prepared by a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method. The mechanical properties, fracture surface morphologies, and thermal stabilities of these nanocomposites are evaluated for epoxy resins with various amounts of MWCNTs. Composites consisting of different amounts of MWCNTs displayed an increase of the work of adhesion between the MWCNTs and the matrix, which improved both the tensile and impact strengths of the composites. The tensile and impact strengths of the MWCNT/epoxy composite improved by 59 and 562% with 0.3 phr of MWCNTs, respectively, compared to the epoxy composite without MWCNTs. Thermal stability of the 0.3 phr MWCNT/epoxy composite increased compared to other epoxy composites with MWCNTs. The enhancement of the mechanical and thermal properties of the MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites is attributed to improved dispersibility and strong interfacial interaction between the MWCNTs and the epoxy in the composites prepared by VARTM.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.217-224
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• 2006

Rapid flow advancement without void formation is essential in the liquid composite molding (LCM) such as resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). A highly permeable layer in multi-layered preform has an important role in improvement of the flow advancement. In this study, a multi-layered preform which consists of three layers is employed. Radial flow experiment is carried out for the multi-layered preform. A new analytic model for advancement of flow front is proposed and effective permeability is defined. The effective permeability for the multi-layered preform is obtained analytically and compared with experimental results. Compaction test is performed to determine the exact fiber volume traction of each layer in the multi-layered preform. Transverse permeability employed in modeling is measured experimentally unlike the previous studies. Accurate prediction of flow advancement is of great use for saving the processing time and enhancing product properties of the final part.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.59-62
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• 2016

In this study, an investigation was performed on the mechanical properties of the natural-fiber-composite structure. The specimen was manufactured using the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) method. The flax-fiber materials were adopted for the natural fiber composite, and vinyl-ester resin was also adopted. After a manufactured specimen was obtained, a mechanical test was carried out. The mechanical properties of the experiment results were compared with those of the natural-composite data cited from a number of other references.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.34-38
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• 2011

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely investigated as reinforcements of CNT/polymer nanocomposites to enhance mechanical and electrical properties of polymer matrices since their discovery in the early 90's. Furthermore, the number of studies about incorporating CNTs into carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) to reinforce their polymer matrices is increasing recently. In this study, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were dispersed in epoxy with 0.2 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%. Then, the SWNT/epoxy mixtures were processed to carbon fiber composites by a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and a wet lay up method. The processed composite samples were tested for the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). The relationship between the interlaminar shear strengths and processing, and the reinforcement mechanism of carbon nanotubes were investigated. CNT/epoxy nanocomposite specimens showed the increased tensile properties. However, the ILSS of carbon fiber composites was not enhanced by reinforcing the matrix with CNTs because of processing issues caused by increased viscosity of the matrix due to addition of CNTs particularly for a VARTM method.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.291-296
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• 2015

In this study, structural design and analysis of the automobile bonnet is performed. The flax/vinly ester composite material is applied for structural design. The Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding-Light (VARTML) manufacturing method is adopted for manufacturing the flax fiber composite bonnet. The VARTML is a manufacturing process that the resin is injected into the fly layered-up fibers enclosed by a rigid mold tool under vacuum. A series of flax/vinyl ester composite panels are manufactured, and several kinds of specimens cut out from the panels are tested to obtain mechanical performance data. Based on this, structural design of the automobile bonnet is performed.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.46-51
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• 2015

In this study, structural design and analysis of the automobile bonnet is performed. The flax/vinly ester composite material is applied for structural design. The Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding-Light (VARTML) manufacturing method is adopted for manufacturing the flax fiber composite bonnet. The VARTML is a manufacturing process that the resin is injected into the fly layered-up fibers enclosed by a rigid mold tool under vacuum. A series of flax/vinyl ester composite panels are manufactured, and several kinds of specimens cut out from the panels are tested to obtain mechanical performance data. Based on this, structural design of the automobile bonnet is performed.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.135-144
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• 2003

Permeability of the preform is one of key factors in design of RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) mold, determination of processing conditions, and modeling of flow in the mold. According to previous studies, permeability measured in the unsaturated fiber mats are higher than that in the saturated fiber mats by about 20% because of the capillary pressure. In this study, permeabilities of several fiber preforms are measured for both saturated and unsaturated flows. A saturated experiment of radial flow has been adopted to measure the permeability of anisotropic fiber preforms with high fiber content, i.e., circular braided preforms. In this method, four pressure transducers are used to measure the pressure distribution. Permeabilities in different directions are determined and the experimental results show a good agreement with the theory. Since permeability is affected by the capillary effect, permeability should be measured in the unsaturated condition for the textile composites to be manufactured under lower pressure as in the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM).