In the proposed paper we discuss the resin transfer moulding of structural components from technical textile performs. A wing section prototype, based on a NACA profile, was produced by vacuum assisted RTM.

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The present paper describes the study and the repair of a steel water pipe concerning the dimensional stability by finite elements methods, selection of materials and the repair procedure. The water steel pipe transports water from a dam to an electrical power. The structure presented some areas with corrosion and other parts with lack of material "pitting". There were some solutions for the repair, but due to atmospheric conditions, local access and the advanced corrosion conditions, it was decided that the right solution would be with composite materials. Composite materials turn out to be the most attractive solution to the repair because it can easily be done, possibility to transport the raw materials near repair local and good mechanical properties of the composite laminates. The finite element method predicted the number of carbon fibre layers necessary to recover the initial mechanical resistance of the water steel pipe. Dry fibres and a thermosetting matrix were selected according to the atmospheric conditions, its mechanical properties and the joining of dissimilar materials. A repair procedure manual was done according to the results obtained.

The use of multi-axial structural textiles and, particularly, of preforms has increased the interest of RTM -resin transfer moulding for the processing of composite materials. However, in order to guarantee a complete filling of the mould and a full impregnation, even at microscopical level, it is necessary to evaluate the degree of permeability and compressibility of the different reinforcements used. In this paper, besides making a comparison of different permeability test methods, it will be described, presented and discussed the results of tests carried out, at INEGI, for carbon fibres.