Liquid moulding technologies such as RTM and SRIM are increasingly used for manufacturing composites in a variety of industries. Most interest stems from the automotive industry in the continuing search for weight savings, manufacturing economies and vehicle refinement.

Liquid Moulding Technologies provides a unique insight into the development and use of such processes with a comprehensive description of the material, process variants, equipment, control strategies and tooling techniques used. Procedures for materials characterisation, preform and mould design are also described and the text is augmented by a number of case studies for prototype and production parts.

This book will therefore be an invaluable source for both industrial moulders and those working in research and development.


Introduction to liquid composite moulding
- Background
- Composites manufacturing techniques
- Process technology
- History
- Selection criteria for automotive manufacture
- Automotive applications of liquid moulding
- Automotive case studies
- Aerospace applications of liquid composite moulding
- Additional transport and industrial applications
- References

Process fundamentals
- Introduction
- Air removal
- Continuous peripheral venting
- Discrete venting
- Injection - compression
- Sealed moulds
- Vapour purging
- Vacuum assisted processes
- Vacuum impregnation methods
- Flexible tool processes
- Semi-rigid tool processes
- Resin film infusion (RFI)
- Practicalities
- Void formation mechanisms
- Degassing
- Fibre wetting
- Sandwich structures
- References

Resin systems
- Theory Introduction
- Unsaturated polyester resins
- Initiator systems
- Fillers and additives
- Mineral fillers
- Shrinkage control additives
- Epoxy resins
- Bismaleimide resins
- Vinyl ester resins
- Polyurethanes and hybrids
- Core materials
- References

Reinforcement materials
- Introduction
- Fibres
- Fibre surface treatments
- Commercially available reinforcements
- Binders
- References

Processing equipment
- Introduction
- Resin injection equipment
- Injection and mixing equipment
- Mould manipulation and clamping equipment
- References

Preform design and manufacturing
- Introduction
- Design considerations
- Manufacturing techniques
- Draping and deformation
- Nomenclature
- References

Materials characterisation
- Introduction
- Reinforcement permeability measurement
- Reinforcement formability
- Resin characterisation
- References
- Appendix - Determination of principal inplane permeabilities from a constant flow rate impregnation test

Process moulding
- Introduction
- Fundamentals of flow modelling
- One-dimensional flow
- Two- and three-dimensional flow
- Discussion
- Nomenclature
- References

Non-isothermic RTM
- Introduction
- The thermal cycle
- The pressure cycle
- Pressures during isothermal impregnation
- Pressures during non-isothermal impregnation
- The post-impregnation pressure cycle
- Cycle time reduction during non-isothermal RTM
- Minimising impregnation time
- Minimising gel and cure times - phased initiator RTM
- Summary
- References

Process monitoring and control
- Introduction
- Thermal monitoring techniques
- Thermal monitoring during impregnation
- Thermal monitoring during gel and cure
- Pressure monitoring techniques
- Pressure monitoring during impregnation
- Pressure monitoring during gel and cure
- Dielectric monitoring
- Alternative methods
- Data acquisition for IPC
- IPC strategies
- References

Mould design
- Introduction
- Factors influencing mould construction
- Tooling options
- Mould materials
- Mould design procedures
- Shell moulds
- References

Implementation issues
- Introduction
- Mould release
- Health and safety considerations
- Recycling and liquid moulding
- References

Technical cost analysis applied to liquid composite moulding
- Introduction
- Methodology and model construction
- Case study
- Conclusion
- References