Simulating three-dimensional flow in compression resin transfer molding process

Compression Resin Transfer Molding (CRTM) is a novel variation of traditional Resin Transfer Molding (RTM). It combines features of RTM, with those of traditional compression molding. The resin is introduced in the mold containing the preform in the narrow gap between the mold platen and the preform. As the resin flows in the narrow gap between mold and the preform, the mold platen squeezes the resin into the stationary preform, which also undergoes compression to create the desired fiber volume fraction. The flow field exhibits a three-dimensional character and is coupled with the fiber compression dynamics. We have modified our existing resin transfer mold filling simulation based on flow through porous media to model the resin injection in CRTM.