• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.24-29
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• 2017

In this study, a seat cross member was fabricated by optimizing the resin transfer molding processing of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) materials. This seat cross member is used in automotive underbody parts and provides side impact support. The seat cross was manufactured via vacuum resin transfer molding. The process included 1min of resin injection, 8 mins of heating, and 1 min of cooling, for a total molding time of 10mins. Tensile test results showed an average breaking load of 21.50kN, a tensile strength of 404 MPa, and an elastic modulus of 46.2 GPa. As a result, the CFRP seat cross provides the same strength as a similar steel part, but weighs 42% less.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.87-97
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• 2020

In this study, a UV-cured GFRP molding is made using a combination of hand lay-up and resin transfer molding, and its properties are analyzed. The molded plates produced using various vacuum pressures (0 mmHg, -450 mmHg, and -760 mmHg) are examined via a comparison of hand lay-up molding and resin transfer molding. Tests are conducted by processing tensile specimens (ASTM D-5083), flexural test specimens (ASTM D-790), and ILSS test specimens (ASTM D-2344) according to each ASTM standard with a molded plate. Similarly, the UV-cured GFRP molding is compared against GFRP using epoxy. It was confirmed that the mechanical strengths of all the specimens increased when the vacuum pressure was increased and when UV curing was applied. This is believed to be because as the vacuum pressure increases, the pores of the cured specimen are removed, thereby reducing defects, and the bonding force between the glass fiber and the resin is stronger than that of the epoxy resin. It is expected that if resin transfer molding methods and UV-cured resins are used for molding GFRP composites in industry, products with better mechanical properties and faster curing time will be produced.

• 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.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.257-260
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• 2000

The composite composed of glass fabric and BMI resin was fabricated using resin transfer molding(RTM) process. it will be used as a supporting plate of transformer coil for high speed train. To develop a RTM process, permeability of preform was measured and resin properties like a viscosity and gellation time were checked. A resin pre-heating system and a mold system were also designed and developed. Using a vacuum-assisted RTM process, the composite supporting plate was successfully fabricated.

• 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.

• International Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2014

In this study, an investigation on mechanical properties of flax natural fiber composite is performed as a precedent study on the design of eco-friendly structure using flax natural fiber composite. The Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding-Light (VARTML) manufacturing method is adopted for manufacturing the flax fiber composite panel. The VARTML is a manufacturing process that the resin is injected into the dry layered -up fibers enclosed by a rigid mold tool under vacuum. In this work, the resin flow analysis of VARTM manufacturing method is performed. A series of flax 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 chemical storage tank for agricultural vehicle was performed using flax/vinyl ester. After structural design and analysis, the resin flow analysis of VARTM manufacturing method was performed.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 2007

This research investigates the composites reinforced with fiberglass to wood and commercial particleboard using VARTM process to enhance the mechanical properties. Specimens were prepared from lumbers from thinning crop-trees and commercial particleboard. Matched specimen were reinforced on both sides with one layer of unidirectional fiberglass roving. Fiberglass reinforcement to wood and particleboard using VARTM process improved mechanical properties.