Accurate permeability characterization of preforms used in polymer matrix composite fabrication processes

The permeabilities of fabrics composed of carbon and glass fibers have been determined by utilizing both simple 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional radial flow measurements using silicone oil and motor oil as permeants. The carbon fabric is typical of that used in fabrication of aerospace grade polymer matrix composites, while the glass fabric is a 3-dimensional woven fabric that has been proposed as a standard reference material for permeability characterization. Our results indicate that reliable permeability data for fiber preforms with varying architectural complexity can be obtained provided that the experiments are performed with utmost care and that appropriate equations are used to analyze the data. In-plane permeabilities for the carbon fiber preforms from transient unidirectional constant flow rate and constant pressure experiments agreed within 5%, regardless of the preform orientation to the flow direction. Steady-state results on the same preforms showed agreement within 2% between constant flow rate and constant pressure experiments. The capillary pressure effect was shown to be negligible for the transient experiments. The maximum difference between the transient and steady state permeability values was 3%. The maximum difference between a permeability measured with unidirectional flow and the same permeability measured with radial flow is less than 10%.