Experiments and Procedure for Examination of RTM ProcessParameters for Obtaining Class A Surface Finish

摘要

SUMMARY: Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) has great potential as an efficient and economical processfor fabricating large and complicated composite structural components. For high volume production suchas in automotive applications, RTM is attractive because of low capital investment cost required andprocess versatility in component integration and assembly. One of the challenges facing the automotivefield is the resulting surface finish of manufactured components. The main objective of this research isfirst to understand the parameters affecting the RTM process, especially those affecting the surface finishof final parts, by a strategic experimental program.The chemical composition, manufacturing parameters (temperature, pressure) and tooling have beenidentified as the main parameters that affect the surface finish of the final part. Molding parameters likemolding temperature, ?T (upper and lower mold temperature), injection rate (or pressure), rate of cureand injection temperatures must also be optimized. The Taguchi Method for design of experiments (DOE)will be used to study the effect of different parameters on the surface finish aspects of finished parts.An experimental program will be outlined consisting of several RTM injections of parts, based on theparameters defined by the Taguchi Method. A flat plate mold with dimensions 18” by 18” has beendesigned to produce a number of parts in order to study the effect of above-mentioned parameters on thesurface finish. The results of the experiments will be a better understanding of surface finish aspects ofthe RTM process.