This work provides a numerical study of a polymer composite manufacturing by using liquid composite material molding. Simulation of resin flow into a porous media comprising fiber perform (reinforcement) inserted in a mold with preallocated ceramic inserts has been performed, using the Ansys FLUENT® software. Results of resin volumetric fraction, stream lines and pressure distribution inside the mold, and mass flow rate (inlet and outlet gates) of the resin, as a function of filling time, have been presented and discussed. Results show that the number of inserts affects the filling time whereas the distance between them has no influence in a process.

In applications that require impact loading, polymeric matrix composites reinforced with aramid fibers stand out, especially in relation to metals, due to characteristics such as high specific strength and stiffness, which give rise to light high-performance systems. However, such structures can fail through various modes, requiring comprehensive studies. Under lowvelocity impact, the contact time between the impactor and the target is relatively large, and the effects of deformation rate and wave propagation are generally insignificant, allowing association of the damage caused in the composites via drop-weight (DW) to those of quasistatic indentation (QSI) tests, optimizing the overall material understanding. Thus, this work aims to comparatively analyze force × displacement curves and resulting damage from dropweight and QSI tests. For that, laminates (2.5, 4.5 and 7.0 mm thick) were tested using variable impact energies (15, 30, 45 and 60 J) and displacement (11, 12 and 15 mm). Similarities in force × displacement curves and damage mechanisms between QSI and DW results were observed at the perforating threshold. However, to compare the response of the material and the damage mechanism generated by QSI and Drop-weight tests in composites, care must be taken, since there are many variables involved and the response of the composites to these tests will depend on such variables.

The objective of this work was the development of a processing methodology for embedding NiTi fibers into a polymer-based composite plate. A carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) prepreg and NiTi thin wires were used. A uniaxial hot press was prepared to be used in the composite processing. Two prototypes were fabricated to provide fiber alignment and fixation fixture. A CFRP composite plate without fiber and another with NiTi fibers were processed. Micrometers and a universal materials testing machine were used to measure the plate thickness and Young's modulus. It was possible to develop a processing methodology for embedding NiTi fibers into a polymer-based composite plate. The CFRP plate without fiber presented almost no variation in plate thickness and Young's modulus measurement thus enabling the CFRP manufacture by the hot uniaxial press. The fiber fixation fixture developed was able to produce CFRP-NiTi fiber hybrid composites with different number of fibers embedded, the spacing distance between fibers was at least 1 mm and the fiber alignment was achieved.