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Microscale Flow Simulation of Resin in RTM Process for Optical Fiber-Embedded Composites
Tianyou Lu1, Bo Ruan1, Zhanjun Wu2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, School of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
Polymers
|August 14, 2025
Summary
This study simulates resin flow in intelligent composites during resin transfer molding (RTM). Embedding optical fibers impacts resin impregnation, affecting final composite quality and porosity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Composite Materials
- Manufacturing Processes
Background:
- Intelligent composite materials with self-sensing capabilities are fabricated using processes like resin transfer molding (RTM).
- The quality of RTM-processed composites depends heavily on resin flow and impregnation efficiency.
- Embedding optical fibers can alter microscopic resin flow and impregnation dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of optical fiber embedding on resin micro-flow and impregnation in RTM processes.
- To analyze how different optical fiber configurations affect impregnation time, porosity, and pore formation mechanisms.
- To provide theoretical guidance for optimizing RTM process parameters for intelligent composites.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulation using COMSOL 6.0 for steady-state resin flow analysis (velocity and pressure fields).
- Microscopic-scale dynamic simulation of resin flow and impregnation using Fluent 2022R2.
- Analysis of impregnation time, porosity, and pore formation patterns under various embedding scenarios.
Main Results:
- Optical fiber embedding significantly influences resin flow and impregnation characteristics at the microscopic level.
- Specific embedding configurations were correlated with variations in impregnation time and final porosity.
- Mechanisms and distribution patterns of pore formation were identified in relation to fiber placement.
Conclusions:
- Numerical simulations are crucial for understanding complex micro-flow phenomena in RTM of intelligent composites.
- Optimizing optical fiber embedding configurations can mitigate impregnation issues and reduce porosity.
- The findings offer valuable theoretical insights for enhancing the RTM manufacturing of self-sensing composite materials.
