Computational fluid dynamics applied to the vacuum infusion process

An all‐purpose computational fluid dynamics software is used for simulations of the vacuum infusion process. The study comprises simulations of a full three‐dimensional two‐phase flow through a porous medium. The medium that has an anisotropic, spatial‐ and time‐dependent permeability is located in a complex mold with moving boundaries. With this generalization, different material combinations, processing conditions, and even other manufacturing techniques can be evaluated. The strength of the presented approach is exemplified by simulations of mold filling of a real part, using a typical vacuum infusion set‐up. In addition to the overall development of the model, a number of specific aspects and phenomena are investigated and evaluated. Local lead of the flow front and a minor influence in overall flow front lead‐lag, with no influence on the fill time, is the result of simulations of edge effects due to poor preform fitting. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:231–239, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers