Modelling the application of wood fibre reinforcements within liquid composite moulding processes

Liquid composite moulding (LCM) processes are commonly used techniques for the manufacture of advanced composite structures. This study explores the potential of wood fibres as reinforcement for LCM preforms, considering mats produced using dry and wet methods. The compaction response and permeability of these mats were measured as a function of fibre volume fraction, results being compared with a typical glass fibre reinforcement. The reinforcement permeability and compaction response data were used to model two LCM variants, resin transfer moulding (RTM) and injection compression moulding (I/CM). A consolidation model approach is applied here to simulate both RTM and I/CM processes, addressing a simple mould geometry. The RTM and I/CM clamping force traces, flow rates, and gate pressures are also measured. The simulation results have been compared with experiments completed for wood and glass fibre reinforcements at two different fibre volume fractions. It was found that at similar fibre volume fractions, the wood fibre mats produce longer mould filling times, and require larger forces to compact.