Pure Finite-Element-Based Methodology for Resin Transfer Mold (RTM) Filling Simulations.

摘要

A pure finite-element-based methodology for resin transfer molding (RTM) process simulations is presented. The formulations are developed starting with the time-dependent mass conservation equation for the resin. Darcy's flow approximations are invoked for the velocity field forming a transient governing equation involving the pressure field and the resin saturation fill factor, which tracks the location of the resin front surface. Finite element approximations are then introduced for both the fill factor and the pressure field, and the resulting transient discrete equations are solved in an iterative manner for both the pressures and the fill factors tracking the progression of resin front in an Eulerian mold cavity. The formulation involves only a finite element Eulerian mesh discretization of the mold cavity and does not require specification of control volume regions and has no time increment restrictions that exist in traditional explicit finite element-control volume formulations. The present formulations accurately capture the physical transient nature of the mold-filling process while maintaining improved numerical and computational attributes. Mold-filling simulations involving various geometrically complex mold configurations are presented, demonstrating the applicability of the developments for manufacturing process simulations. (AN).