Non-isothermal Simulation of Edge Effect in LCM Process for Plain-Weave Fabric

Edge effect is a common phenomenon in liquid composite molding (LCM), which has a significant impact on the performance of composite components. Plain-weave fabric is widely used in LCM process. Nevertheless, the yarns of plain-weave fabric in edge area are easy to shed which will cause the edge effect. Meanwhile, the current LCM process is non-isothermal, which the infiltration effect and curing efficiency are improved by heating the resin and the mold. Few systemic researches can be found in the edge effect of LCM process caused by shedding yarns under non-isothermal conditions. This article applied a method to calculate the permeability which considered the yarn shedding of plain-weave fabric. A non-isothermal rheological model of resin is established through resin viscosity and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. A simulation model of the edge effect due to yarns shedding under non-isothermal conditions is proposed. This model divides the flow region into the central area, edge area and gap area. Simulation of edge effect is realized by setting three different permeability areas and combining them with the non-isothermal rheological model. Simulation results of edge effect are verified by the non-isothermal flow experiments.