The vacuum inFusion molding process is becoming increasingly popular for the production of large composite parts. A comprehensive model of the process has not been proposed yet, making its optimization difficult. The flexible nature of the vacuum bag coupled to the varying pressure inside the mold cavity results in a variation of the cavity thickness during the impregnation. A complete simulation model must incorporate this phenomenon. In this paper, a complete analysis of the vacuum infusion molding process is presented. The analysis is not restricted to the theoretical aspects but also reviews the effect of the main processing parameters. The parameters investigated in this paper are thought to be those of most interest for the process, i.e. the compaction of the reinforcement, the permeability, the infusion strategy and the presence of flow enhancement layers. Following the characterization experiments, a 1 -D model for the vacuum infusion molding process is presented. This model is derived assuming that an elastic equilibrium holds in the mold cavity during mold filling. Even though good agreement was found between simulation results and experiments, it is concluded that additional work is needed on the numerical model to integrate interesting findings from the experimental part.

Stringent environmental regulations and increased interest in the preservation of natural resources have forced the composite industry to examine “ecofriendly” components. Efforts are being deployed to find alternative reinforcements and resin systems that are environmentally friendly while providing the same performance as their synthetic counterparts. The aim of this article is to study the potential of using date palm fibers (DPF) as reinforcement in polymeric materials. This objective was achieved by characterizing the DPF through the evaluation of their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties and comparing them with other commonly used natural fibers. The effect of different surface modification processes on DPF properties such as tensile strength, density, surface morphology, and thermal stability were investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:486–497, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers.

FRP materials are emerging as cost‐effective and high‐performing materials in various structural applications ranging from aerospace and defense to automotive, sporting goods, construction and transportation. These breakthroughs were achieved through better design practice and innovative manufacturing processes in addition to an understanding of the mechanisms governing the performance of these materials. Much of the developed expertise was confined to one composite material system, i.e., epoxy‐based composite materials. For emerging applications such as the rehabilitation of civil engineering structures and the oil industry, this material system is not cost‐effective when compared to conventional materials. Glass‐vinylester composites are considered a potential material system offering enhanced mechanical properties at a competitive cost. However, there is very little long‐term durability data related to their environmental performance and their resistance to corrosive fluids. In this paper, durability and environmental degradation of glass‐vinylester composites are evaluated when exposed to high temperature, moisture, seawater, and corrosive fluid. Polym. Compos. 25:609–616, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Due to increased awareness on the part of end users and pressure from legislators, the composite industry has begun investigating the possibility of increasing the proportion of recycled or biodegradable composite materials. Accordingly, efforts are being deployed to find alternative reinforcement and resin systems that are environmentally friendly while providing the same performance as their synthetic counterparts. Natural fibers offer the potential to act as a reinforcing material for low to medium strength applications. In this study a natural fiber extracted from the date palm tree was used as reinforcement for polymeric matrix composites. Polyester composite specimens reinforced with date palm fibers (DPF) were subjected to various types of mechanical and physical tests in order to assess their performance. Results show that these fibers may yield reasonable properties and could be used for low-cost applications that require low to medium strength. Tests indicate, however, that additional work is needed to enhance the compatibility between the fiber and the matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:604 -613, 2005.

The Vacuum infusion molding process is gaining Increased popularity for its relatively short cycle time, low equipment cost and low labor requirements. Furthermore, for large and complex structures, it offers a high potential of integration In addition to the complete elimination of volatile organic compound (V.O.C.) emissions, which are considered to be a major health concern for employees within the composite Industry. Successful implementation of the process, especially for large structures such as boat hulls where large amounts of raw materials are involved, requires the completion of the impregnation phase in the shortest time possible. This can be achieved by the integration of a highly permeable layer to the reinforcement stack. However, this will strongly affect the compaction behavior of the resulted stack. This paper investigates the effect of the reinforcement structure on the overall compaction behavior. More specifically, the investigation is oriented toward the effect of the flow enhancement layer on the compaction response.