Physical Determination of Permeability Variation With Porosity For Composite Performs

This paper presents the results of experimental determination of fiber bed permeability variation with porosity. Flow measurement experiments were designed to measure fiber mat permeability for fiber beds with various fiber volume fractions. Woven fiberglass, chopped fiberglass, and carbon fiber mats were used as reinforcements. The effects of reinforcement type and porosity on fiber bed permeability were investigated. Fiber mat permeability of woven mats showed large degrees of anisotropy, whereas chopped fiberglass mats had isotropic permeability. In all cases perform permeability increased with fiber bed porosity. Fiber mat permeability of woven carbon was found to be about four times lower than that of woven fiberglass mats at the same porosity. This lower permeability results in longer injection time and higher manufacturing cost for composite parts made with carbon fiber mats. The results of this investigation could be employed in process/product optimization in Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) processes.