RTM mold filling

The aim in simulating the mold filling process is to predict the course of the resin flow front in order to minimize process time or cavity pressure and to avoid dry spots.

The simulations are carried out using specially developed methods based on OpenFOAM®.

Emphasis is placed on the component-level simulation of complex RTM process variants as well as the flow around embedded load introduction elements.

In addition to the experimental measurement of material parameters (permeability of the semi-finished product, viscosity of the resin), another focus is the numerical determination of permeability by homogenization of the fiber flow around at micro and meso level.

 

 

Research focus
  • Component-level simulation of complex RTM process variants such as pressure-controlled RTM (PC-RTM)
  • Simulation of mold filling during the production of sandwich components
  • Simulation of the flow around embedded load introduction elements
  • Numerical determination of the semi-finished product permeability by homogenization of the flow behavior on micro and meso level

 

Research projects
Contact

M.Sc. Sarah Dietrich
Tel.: +49 721 608-41816
Email: sarah.dietrich∂kit.edu

Bild FAST-LB
Flow front curve (left half) and cavity pressure (right half) during mold filling of a vehicle underbody
Bild FAST-LB
Fluid flow around carbon fibers at the micro level

Selected publications in the research field


Numerical Investigation of the Mold Filling Behavior of Sandwich Parts in Resin Transfer Molding
Dietrich, S.; Seuffert, J.; Kärger, L.
2023. 23rd International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM 2023), 8 S., Queen’s University Belfast
On the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) Infiltration of Fiber-Reinforced Composites made by Tailored Fiber Placement
Bittrich, L.; Seuffert, J.; Dietrich, S.; Uhlig, K.; Lisboa, T. de V.; Kärger, L.; Spickenheuer, A.
2022. Polymers, 14 (22), Art.-Nr.: 4873. doi:10.3390/polym14224873
A Benchmark for Fluid-Structure Interaction in Hybrid Manufacturing: Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian Simulation
Meyer, N.; Werner, H. O.; Seuffert, J.; Dietrich, S.; Poppe, C.; Krauß, C.; Kärger, L.
2021, July 21. 5th International Conference on Hybrid Materials and Structures (2022), Leoben, Austria, July 20–22, 2022
A Benchmark for Fluid-Structure-Interaction in Hybrid Manufacturing: Simulation with preCICE in OpenFOAM
Dietrich, S.; Seuffert, J.; Werner, H.; Meyer, N.; Poppe, C.; Krauß, C.; Kärger, L.
2022, June 9. 8th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2022), Oslo, Norway, June 5–9, 2022
Mold-filling Simulation of Resin Transfer Molding with Fluid-Structure Interaction. PhD dissertation
Seuffert, J.
2022, April 4. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). doi:10.5445/IR/1000144393
Hybrid material additive manufacturing: interlocking interfaces for fused filament fabrication on laser powder bed fusion substrates
Englert, L.; Heuer, A.; Engelskirchen, M. K.; Frölich, F.; Dietrich, S.; Liebig, W. V.; Kärger, L.; Schulze, V.
2022. Virtual and Physical Prototyping, 17 (3), 508–527. doi:10.1080/17452759.2022.2048228
Experimental and numerical analysis of mold filling in rotational molding
Nieschlag, J.; Seuffert, J.; Strack, D.; Friedmann, M.; Kärger, L.; Henning, F.; Fleischer, J.
2021. Journal of Composites Science, 5 (11), 289. doi:10.3390/jcs5110289
Micro-Scale Permeability Characterization of Carbon Fiber Composites Using Micrograph Volume Elements
Seuffert, J.; Bittrich, L.; Cardoso de Oliveira, L.; Spickenheuer, A.; Kärger, L.
2021. Frontiers in Materials, 8, Art. Nr.: 745084. doi:10.3389/fmats.2021.745084
Experimental and numerical investigations of pressure-controlled resin transfer molding (PC-RTM)
Seuffert, J.; Rosenberg, P.; Kärger, L.; Henning, F.; Kothmann, M. H.; Deinzer, G.
2020. Advanced manufacturing: polymer & composites science, 6 (3), 154–163. doi:10.1080/20550340.2020.1805689
Investigations on intrinsically manufactured FRP/metal composites - from embedded inserts to load-bearing hybrid structures
Bernath, A.; Seuffert, J.; Muth, M.; Roth, S.; Fleischer, J.; Weidenmann, K. A.; Henning, F.
2020, April 29. 4th International Conference Hybrid - Materials and Structures (2020), Online, April 28–29, 2020
Numerical prediction of curing and process-induced distortion of composite structures. PhD dissertation
Bernath, A.
2020, February 26. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). doi:10.5445/IR/1000105945
Comparison of Finite Volume and Finite Element Methods for the Prediction of Process Induced Residual Stresses during Resin Transfer Molding
Bernath, A.; Henning, F.
2014. 27th International Workshop Research in Mechanics of Composites (2014), Bad Herrenalb, Germany, December 11–12, 2014
Holistic Development of High-Pressure RTM Composite Structures
Henning, F.; Bernath, A.; Galkin, S.; Kärger, L.; Magagnato, D.; Schirmaier, F.; Thoma, B.
2015. 31st International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS 2015), Jeju Island, Korea, June 7–11, 2015
Enhanced Viscosity Characterization for Fast Curing Epoxy Resins at Process Relevant Temperatures
Bernath, A.; Grulich, M.; Kärger, L.; Henning, F.
2018, May 31. 14th International Conference on Flow Processes in Composite Materials (2018), Luleå, Sweden, May 30–June 1, 2018
Simulating Mold Filling in Compression Resin Transfer Molding (CRTM) Using a Three-Dimensional Finite-Volume Formulation
Seuffert, J.; Kärger, L.; Henning, F.
2018. Journal of composites science, 2 (2), Article: 23. doi:10.3390/jcs2020023
Experimental and numerical study of the spring-in of angled brackets manufactured using different resins and fiber textiles
Bernath, A.; Groh, F.; Exner, W.; Hühne, C.; Henning, F.
2019. Journal of composite materials, 53 (28-30), 4173–4188. doi:10.1177/0021998319855423
Simulation of the influence of embedded inserts on the rtm filling behavior considering local fiber structure
Seuffert, J.; Kärger, L.; Henning, F.
2017. 21st Symposium on Composites, 2017; Bremen; Germany; 5 July 2017 through 7 July 2017. Ed.: A. S. Herrmann, 681–688, Trans Tech Publications. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.742.681
Accurate Cure Modeling for Isothermal Processing of Fast Curing Epoxy Resins
Bernath, A.; Kärger, L.; Henning, F.
2016. Polymers, 8 (11), 390. doi:10.3390/polym8110390
An integrated development approach to combine design, manufacturing and validation of high-pressure RTM composite structures
Henning, F.; Bernath, A.; Chaudhari, R.; Kärger, L.; Magagnato, D.; Schirmaier, F.
2014. SAMPE Annual Tech Conference; 2.-5.06.2014, Seattle
Experimentelle und Numerische Untersuchung der Infiltration der RTM-Fertigung
Magagnato, D.; Frey, M.; Bernath, A.; Steibler, P.; Henning, F.
2013. 19. Symposium Verbundwerkstoffe und Werkstoffverbunde, Karlsruhe, 3.-5. Juli 2013