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The Resin Transfer Molding process (RTM) has been widely used for manufacturing of high performance components in aerospace and automotive industries. It is an economical and faster method when compared to open molding process because it allows the molding of complex parts with constant thickness, dimensional precision, good surface finishing and an excellent control of mechanical properties. In this sense, this work aims to study theoretically the manufacture process of polymeric composites reinforced with fibers via resin transfer molding. The governing equations of conservation of mass and momentum, and Darcy's law are presented, and the exact solution of the problems is obtained via method of separation of variables. Predicted results of the flow front and the pressure fields of the resin inside the model during the injection process are presented, compared with experimental data and analyzed. It was verified a good agreement between the results.

This chapter aims to present a theoretical study of the fluid flow in porous media, with particular reference to manufacturing of polymer composites reinforced with fibers via resin transfer molding process. The mass and momentum conservation equations, including the effect of resin sorption by the fibers, and Darcy's law, are presented, and the analytical solution of the governing equation is obtained via method of separation of variables. Predicted results of the flow front, velocity, volumetric flow rate and pressure fields of the resin inside the model, during the injection process, are presented, and the effects of the injection pressure, resin viscosity and sorption term, are also analyzed.

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