Modelling the flow of particle-filled resin through a fibrous preform in liquid composite molding technologies

During the manufacturing of particle-filled resin composite parts with a liquid composite molding (LCM) process, undesirable issues arise like resin viscosity increase or particles filtration. As the filled resin flow is taking place, the fibrous preform may act as a filter and hinder the even repartition of the fillers throughout the part or even stop the mold filling. The present paper proposes an experimental investigation of the particle filtration during the injection of a composite part. The model proposed by Erdal et al. is analysed and improved in order to take liquid retention phenomenon into account. Finally, simulated and experimental data are compared.