EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE FIBRE BUNDLE PERMEABILITY AS A FUNCTION OF SATURATION

摘要

This papers deals with the experimental determination of the permeability of a fibre bundle in dependence of the saturation K(θ). The knowledge of K(θ) is necessary to accurately predict voids creation during Liquid Composite Moulding (LCM) processes. To predict the voids the impregnation process is simulated on meso scale level. The meso-flow is the flow through and around fibre bundles. Bundles permeability is strongly influenced by the saturation. It increases with the impregnation degree of the bundle. To measure K(θ), a test liquid is pumped with a constant flow rate through the fibre bundles. The degree of saturation is kept constant. Flow rate and pressure gradient are measured. The measurement shows some problems related to the adjustment control of the degree of saturation. The problems are discussed and an improved set-up is proposed.