A Review of Permeability and Flow Simulation for Liquid Composite Moulding of Plant Fibre Composites

Pantaloni, Delphin; Bourmaud, Alain; Baley, Christophe; Clifford, Mike J.; Ramage, Michael H.; Shah, Darshil U.

Abstract

Liquid composite moulding (LCM) of plant fibre composites has gained much attention for the development of structural biobased composites. To produce quality composites, better understanding of the resin impregnation process and flow behaviour in plant fibre reinforcements is vital. Reviewing the literature, we aim to identify key plant fibre reinforcement-specific factors that influence, if not govern, the mould filling stage during LCM of plant fibre composites. In particular, the differences in structure (physical and biochemical) of plant and synthetic fibres, their semi-products (i.e. yarns and rovings) and their mats and textiles are shown to have a perceptible effect on their compaction, in-plane permeability and processing via LCM. Examining the effects of dual-scale flow, resin absorption, (subsequent) fibre swelling, capillarity, and time-dependent saturated and unsaturated permeability that are specific to plant fibre reinforcements, we also review the various models utilised to predict and simulate resin impregnation during LCM of plant fibre composites.

Citation

Pantaloni, D., Bourmaud, A., Baley, C., Clifford, M. J., Ramage, M. H., & Shah, D. U. (2020). A Review of Permeability and Flow Simulation for Liquid Composite Moulding of Plant Fibre Composites. Materials, 13(21), Article 4811. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214811

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 22, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Oct 28, 2020
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Oct 23, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 28, 2020
• Journal: Materials
• Electronic ISSN: 1996-1944
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 21
• Article Number: 4811
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214811
• Keywords: Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Liquid composite moulding (LCM); Resin transfer moulding (RTM); Permeability; Flow modelling; Natural fibres; Biocomposites
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4985645
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/21/4811