Citation:
Skordos A.A.; Partridge I.K.; (2000) Dielectric flow sensing in resin transfer moulding of carbon fibre reinforced composites, Plastics, Rubber and Composites, Volume 29, Number 8, August 2000 , pp. 391-394
Abstract:
An in situ dielectric technique for sensing flow is outlined and shown to be
suitable for use in moulding of composites from liquid resins containing
continuous conducting fibres. This work builds upon the recent development of a
sensor for monitoring flow and cure in thermosetting composites with (non-
conductive) glass reinforcements. The linear relationship between the position
of the flow front in the mould and the electrical admittance of the sensor
system, which is observed in resins with non-conductive reinforcements, was
found to extend to resins containing conducting fibres. The performance of the
sensor in detecting the position of the flow front was evaluated by comparison
with visual observations. The capability of the sensing system to monitor the
cure of the resin after mould filling was also investigated. The results
demonstrate that the sensor can both locate the flow front accurately and
monitor the cure, identifying vitrification in a way that is similar to
conventional microdielectrometry. Data from flow measurements are output in
complex number format, which offers the potential to produce a method that can
be used to evaluate the performance of the sensor system quantitatively.