Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)
“Transfer molding, like compression molding, is a process where the amount of molding material (usually a thermoset plastic) is measured and inserted before the molding takes place. The molding material is preheated and loaded into a chamber known as the pot. A plunger is then used to force the material from the pot through channels known as a sprue and runner system into the mold cavities. The mold remains closed as the material is inserted and is opened to release the part from the sprue and runner. The mold walls are heated to a temperature above the melting point of the mold material; this allows a faster flow of material through the cavities.”
(Wikipedia, Transfer Molding, 11/4/2010)
Processing
Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM)
Recent US Patents
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4/14/2009
7,517,481
Molding systems and processes
Advani, Devillard and Lawrence of the University of Delaware has developed a resin transfer molding system which the flow of resin to different parts of the mold can be selectively controlled. This is based a mold plate containing a network of resin paths controlled by injection gates open and closed by a deformable part. (RDC 11/4/2010)
Recent Journal Articles
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8/14/2009
Three-dimensional flow simulation of resin transfer molding utilizing multilayered fiber preform
(p 1803-1812) Journal of Applied Polymer Science 114 #3 (2009)
8/14/2009
Measurements of normal stress distributions experienced by rigid liquid composite moulding tools
(1119-1133) Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 40 #8 (2009)
7/31/2009
Similarity Relations of Resin Flow in Resin Transfer Molding Process
(135-152) Advanced Composite Materials 18, #2 (2009)
10/31/1008
Modeling Flow in Compression Resin Transfer Molding for Manufacturing of Complex Lightweight High-Performance Automotive Parts
(2523-2545) Journal of Composite Materials 42 #23 (2008)
[Abstract]
Simacek et al has developed a numerical model successfully describing resin flow using first-order analysis to estimate process parameters.
10/24/2008
Thermal behavior of chemically treated and untreated sisal fiber reinforced composites fabricated by resin transfer molding
(629-650) Composite Interfaces 15 #6 (2008)
Sreekumar et al showed by thermolgravimetric analysis that the treated fiber reinforced composites are thermally more stable than the untreated composites. The increased thermal stability and reduced moisture effects of the treated composites are due to increased fiber/matrix adhesion.
Editor's Notes
As the literature is reviewed, and items of interest concerning this topic are found. These may be added in an abbreviated form with the reference. Readers and contributors are invited to add their own notes. Contributors may add them directly and other readers can simply send their notes to the editor, Roger Corneliussen at rcorneliussen@4spe.org. He may edit and add them to this page at his discretion.