Prediction of Race Tracking in Resin Transfer Molding

The resin transfer molding process experiences an unavoidable phenomenon known as race-tracking in which the resin flows along the edges of the mold ahead of the central flow. This phenomena may be severe whereby the resin reaches the top of the mold and exits the mold before it is completely filled. It is of interest to predict this behavior prior to the resin injection. A pre-injection method has been developed to predict whether the flow will be even or skewed and the severity of race tracking. This paper discusses how the method was developed. This method has been successfully used to predict the degree of severity of race tracking in vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding to a high degree of accuracy.