Analysis of an injection/compression liquid composite molding process

The injection/compression liquid composite molding (LCM) process is simulated by using the control/volume finite element method (CV/FEM). The flow in the runner and the fiber-free areas is simplified by using an equivalent permeability approach. Several molding experiments were conducted using a tub-shaped mold and the structural reaction injection molding (SRIM) process for a poly(urethane/isocyanurate) matrix and a glass fiber preform. Good agreement is found between the experimental results and the simulation.