Detailed explanation of carbon fiber RTM process

Carbon fiber RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) process is a closed mold composite material manufacturing technology, which injects resin into pre formed carbon fiber preforms and uses the mold to apply pressure to complete curing and molding. This process is widely used in aerospace, automotive industry and other fields due to its high precision and excellent surface quality.

1、 Overview of Carbon Fiber RTM Process

The RTM process involves pre setting dry carbon fiber fabrics or preforms in a closed mold, and then injecting liquid resin into the mold through vacuum or mechanical pressure to solidify and form high-performance composite components. This method combines the advantages of manual pre molding and automated resin injection, making it particularly suitable for producing components with complex geometric shapes.

Process characteristics

High surface quality: The surface of the component is smooth and can be directly used for appearance parts..

Complex structure adaptation: Suitable for manufacturing components with reinforcing ribs or curved surfaces..

Low volatility: Closed mold environment reduces harmful gas emissions.

Precision Control: Mold design ensures precise dimensions..

2、 Carbon fiber RTM process flow

The process mainly includes the following steps:

1. Preparation of prefabricated parts

According to the design requirements, dry carbon fiber fabric or cloth is cut and manually or mechanically laid in a mold to produce a preform.

2. Mold sealing and vacuuming

Close the upper and lower molds, ensure airtightness with sealing strips, and extract air through a vacuum pump to reduce bubbles and assist resin flow.

3. Resin injection

Inject liquid resin into the mold through the resin feed port using vacuum or pressure to infiltrate the preform. The resin flow rate and pressure need to be precisely controlled.

4. Curing and demolding

After injection, heat the mold (usually 100 ° C to 160 ° C) to cure the resin. After solidification, open the mold, take out the molded parts and perform post-processing.

3、 Advantages and disadvantages of carbon fiber RTM process

Advantages

1. High quality: Components have excellent surface quality and internal structure..
2. Complex shape adaptation: It can produce components with holes or reinforced structures..
3. Environmental Protection: Closed mold reduces volatile organic compound emissions..
4. Production efficiency: Suitable for medium batch production..

Disadvantages

1. High mold cost: Complex mold design and manufacturing costs are high..
2. Complex process: resin flow and curing parameters need to be precisely controlled..
3. Long cycle: Injection and curing time may be longer..

4、 Application areas of carbon fiber RTM process

This process is widely used due to its unique advantages in:

Aerospace: such as aircraft interiors and structural components.

Automotive industry: such as body panels and battery casings..

Energy equipment: such as wind turbine blade connectors..

Consumer goods: such as high-end luggage and sports equipment..

5、 Future Development Trends

With the development of intelligent molds and fast curing resins, the carbon fiber RTM process will achieve higher production efficiency and quality control. By combining automated pre molding and real-time monitoring technology, the process will be further expanded to more high-performance application areas.

6、 Summary

The carbon fiber RTM process has become an important technology for high-end composite material manufacturing due to its high surface quality, adaptability to complex structures, and environmental friendliness. Through closed mold resin injection and precise curing, this process can produce high-quality complex components. Despite the high cost and process complexity of molds, they have significant advantages in fields such as aerospace, automotive, and energy. Future technological advancements will drive their wider applications.