ISE 5540 Composites Lab - Report

Wednesday, March 11, 2015; 3:00 PM

Group: D
Introduction
In the Composites Lab, a permeability measurement and Vacuum Assisted Resin
Transfer Molding (VARTM) experiments were conducted. For the permeability
measurement, the permeability of bidirectional and unidirectional fiber mats was to
be measured. Unfortunately, a problem with the equipment rendered the group
unable to perform the measurements. However, a conceptual understanding of the
process was attained. For the VARTM portion of the lab, a demonstration was given
of the setup of a VARTM experiment. The group learned about how the resin flows
through the entire process, and about the high permeability medium.
Lab Questions
Question 1: List some factors that will affect the permeability of fiber
preforms.
A factor that affects the permeability of the fiber preforms is the porosity. The shape
and size of the three-dimensional network of capillary channels controls the amount
of fluid that is able to flow through the material. Increasing the porosity causes the
permeability of the fluid flowing through it to be higher. This also goes hand in hand
with the dimensions of the material and thickness. If there is more material to flow
through, the longer it will take for the fluid to impregnate it. Another factor is the
pressure, in which it is the driving force for the fluid flow into the mold cavity and
fiber material. Increases in pressure drives the fluid faster into the material. Mold
complexity can also affect permeability in fiber materials. Cavity design shape can
induce a deformation of the material which can lead to more flow channels as
shown in the Figure 1.

Figure 1. Two mold cavity designs for permeability characterization. An S-shaped cavity can induce
deformation on the material increasing permeability.

Question 2: Read the reference

(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pc.22708/full) and discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of the addition of nanoparticles.
Advantages:
Addition of CNF improves mechanical properties of the composite. There is a 40%
increase in tensile strength after addition of CNF in the work carried out in the
reference. There is also a change in flexural strength and Youngs Modulus. Overall,
mechanical strength increases by 10-25 %. This increase in mechanical strength is
more profound at higher temperatures.
Disadvantages:
There is a threshold to the amount of CNF (0.5 %) that can be added to the polymer
due to the decrease in permeability of the polymer composite below a limit after
which molding is no longer feasible hence compromising the processability of the
composite.
Question 3: Discuss the difference between composites made of two
different kinds of glass fiber mats (bidirectional and unidirectional);
The strength and stiffness of a composite often depends on the orientation of the
plies. The fibers of a unidirectional composite run in one direction and the
strength/stiffness of the material is only in the direction of the fibers. In bidirectional
composites, the materials run in two directions, typically 90 degrees apart. These
ply orientations have strength in both directions however it is not necessarily the
same for each side.
Question 4: Why high permeable medium we used in this lab is shorter
than glass fiber mats?
When using high permeable medium, it is necessary for it to be shorter than the
glass fiber mat to ensure resin actually flows through the glass fiber mat. If the high
permeable medium was the same length as the glass fiber mat, the resin would
simply flow around the glass fiber mat in the high permeable medium, rather than
actually penetrating into the glass fiber mat.