Simplified mold filling simulation in resin transfer molding

A simplified mold filling simulation is developed to estimate the process variables for resin transfer molding (RTM) of structural composite parts. This approach uses very limited calculations and needs only microcomputer facilities. Resin flow in RTM processes is considered to follow Darcy's law. Both Newtonian fluid and power-law fluid are studied. Mold sections are decomposed as a combination of simple geometry shapes, such as rectangular, circular, trapezoid, spheric or conic sections. Closed form solutions are derived for each of these simplified shapes. The total mold filling time can then be esti mated, as well as the required inlet pressure or flow rate. Compared with more sophis ticated simulation programs, the computer time and user interface effort are greatly re duced.