Performance of composite materials usually suffers from process-induced defects such as dry spots and microscopic voids. While effects of void content in molded composites have been studied extensively, knowledge of void morphology and spatial distribution of voids in composites manufactured by resin transfer molding (RTM) remains limited. In this study, through-the-thickness void distribution for a disk-shaped, E-glass/epoxy composite part manufactured by resin transfer molding is investigated. Microscopic image analysis is conducted through-the-thickness of a radial sample obtained from the molded composite disk. Voids are found to concentrate primarily within or adjacent to the fiber preforms. More than 93% of the voids are observed within the preform or in a so-called transition zone, next to a fibrous region. In addition, void content was found to fluctuate through-the-thickness of the composite. Variation up to 17% of the average void content of 2.15% is observed through-the-thicknesses of the eight layers studied. Microscopic analysis revealed that average size of voids near the mold surfaces is slightly larger than those located at the interior of the composite. In addition, average size of voids that are located within the fiber preform is observed to be smaller than those located in other regions of the composite. Finally, proximity to the surface is found to have no apparent effect on shape of voids within the composite.
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October 2004
Research Papers
Formation of Microscopic Voids in Resin Transfer Molded Composites
Youssef K. Hamidi,
Youssef K. Hamidi
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
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Levent Aktas,
Levent Aktas
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
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M. Cengiz Altan
e-mail: altan@ou.edu
M. Cengiz Altan
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
Search for other works by this author on:
Youssef K. Hamidi
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
Levent Aktas
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
M. Cengiz Altan
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
e-mail: altan@ou.edu
Contributed by the Materials Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received by the Materials Division July 25, 2003; revision received February 15, 2004. Associate Editor: G. Newaz.
J. Eng. Mater. Technol. Oct 2004, 126(4): 420-426 (7 pages)
Published Online: November 9, 2004
Article history
Received:
July 25, 2003
Revised:
February 15, 2004
Online:
November 9, 2004
Citation
Hamidi , Y. K., Aktas , L., and Altan, M. C. (November 9, 2004). "Formation of Microscopic Voids in Resin Transfer Molded Composites ." ASME. J. Eng. Mater. Technol. October 2004; 126(4): 420–426. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1789958
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