CaCO3 Particle-Filled Polymer Composite Manufacturing via RTM Process: An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is one technique that has been used to produce polymer composites, which consists in injecting a thermoset pre-catalysed resin into a closed mold containing a dry fiber preform. In this sense, this study aims to investigate the effect of the calcium carbonate content (CaCO3) in the polyester resin during the RTM process. Several experiments were conducted using glass fiber mat molded in a RTM system with cavity dimensions 320 x 150 x 3.6 mm, at room temperature, and different injection pressure (0.75 bar) and CaCO3content (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%). Results of the physical parameters such as viscosity, permeability, and mobility, and flow front position of the resin into the mold along the RTM process are presented and analyzed. From the results was concluded that the higher the injection pressure and lower CaCO3content into the resin, the lower filling time.