Modelling heat generation and transfer during cure of thermoset compositesprocessed by resin transfer moulding (RTM)

摘要

The development of a heat transfer model for the curing stage of the RTM processis presented. Despite the intense interest in the modelling and simulation ofthis process the relevant work is currently limited to development of flowmodels of the filling stage. The principles of heat transfer modelling ofcomposites cure have already been reported and applied to the autoclave processby many investigators. In the present investigation, the same concept is usedfor the implementation of Galerkin finite element approach to RTM curing. Themathematical basis of the resulting semidiscrete model is presented here and thetemporal algorithm is described. The experimental mould, which will be used toevaluate and validate the model is also described.