Characterization of the CRTM process applicated to a door reinforcement

Abstract

The automotive industry has benefited to some extent from composites for several decades, especially for non-primary structural applications. Technologies such as GMT, LFT or SMC are used to manufacture interior components, functional parts or body parts, with productivity standards and very competitive prices. But despite these successful applications, their expansion to more structural parts is not possible because of the limited properties of the materials and largely because the current manufacturing processes and facilities are not ready for mass manufacturing. When it is intended to manufacture pieces with high fiber contents and / or large pieces, the increase in fiber content decreases the permeability of the preform, necessitating longer filling times, and generating impregnation problems and high pore contents. In order to solve these drawbacks associated with conventional RTM, different alternatives have been explored: increasing the injection pressure, injecting through multiple entries or reducing the viscosity of the resin among others. One of the most promising is the combination of RTM and compression, called CRTM (Compression RTM). Comparing with conventional RTM, the mold remains partially open in the injection phase, generating a space not occupied by the fibers that exerts a preferred flow path for the resin without having to penetrate the preform. The objective of the project has been to characterize the CRTM process and apply this knowledge in the manufacture of a side door reinforcement.

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