Doctoral Dissertations

Keywords and Phrases

Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM)

Abstract

"The objective of the present study is to develop non-autoclave processes to manufacture high performance composites for aerospace applications. In Paper 1, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process was developed for elevated temperature composites. Use of VARTM process for fabricating high temperature resins presents unique challenges such as high porosity and low fiber volume contents. Two different vacuum bagging methods: Seeman Composite Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP) and Double Vacuum Bagging Infusion (DVBI) process were evaluated. Flow simulation tool was used to predict key flow parameters needed for the successful infusion. In Paper 2, honeycomb sandwich panels were manufactured using commercially available film adhesive and modified VARTM process. The resin incursion into the core openings is a major challenge for applying VARTM process to open cell core sandwich composites. Panels manufactured using the developed process did not show any resin accumulation in the core. The mechanical performance of the manufactured sandwich composites was evaluated. Results indicate that the VARTM process can be successfully used to manufacture honeycomb composite sandwich structures using currently available barrier adhesive films. In Paper 3, a new generation vacuum-bag-only cure out-of-autoclave (OOA) manufacturing process was studied. Physical and mechanical performance of the composites was evaluated. The influence of size, lay-up configuration, thickness and their interactions on the impact behavior of the composites was studied using Design of Experiments (DoE)"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Chandrashekhara, K.

Committee Member(s)

Dharani, Lokeswarappa R.
Okafor, A. Chukwujekwu (Anthony Chukwujekwu)
Samaranayake, V. A.
Schuman, Thomas P.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Missouri University of Science and Technology. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Missouri University of Science and Technology. National University Transportation Center
Missouri University of Science and Technology. Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

2011

Pagination

xii, 132 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Rights

© 2011 Venkatagireesh K. Menta, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Honeycomb structures -- Materials -- Testing
Composite materials
Manufacturing processes

Thesis Number

T 10170

Print OCLC #

858816161

Electronic OCLC #

858816651

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