Composite fabrication via resin transfer molding technology

摘要

The IMPReS (Integrated Modeling and Processing of Resin-based Structures) Program was funded in FY95 to consolidate, evaluate, and enhance Sandia's capabilities in the design and fabrication of composite structures. A team of polymer, composite, and modeling personnel was assembled to benchmark Sandia's existing expertise in this area relative to industrial and academic programs and to initiate the tasks required to meet Sandia's future needs. RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) was selected as the focus composite fabrication technology due to its versatility and growing use in industry. Modeling efforts focused on the prediction of composite mechanical properties and failure/damage mechanisms and also on the uncured resin flow processes typical of RTM. Appropriate molds and test composites were fabricated and model validation studies begun. This report summarizes and archives the modeling and fabrication studies carried out under IMPReS and evaluates the status of composite technology within Sandia.