Heat transfer analysis of a new adaptive molding technology for composites

颗粒堵塞是自20世纪40年代以来已知的一种现象，它使材料能够从流体状转变为固态。该行业合作伙伴基于材料堵塞的专利创新（美国专利9211660）** 能够对现有的树脂传递模塑（RTM）工艺进行有效且低成本的改进，这些工艺 ** 越来越多地用于航空航天和汽车应用。该专利要求颗粒材料可以被制成符合和可逆地固化，以充分支撑半柔性模具面，同时抵抗类似高压釜的树脂注射压力。创新的自适应成型技术有可能降低模具和工艺成本，从而为高性能复合材料开辟新的应用领域，特别是对于 ** 尺寸的零件。强烈需要对流经颗粒床的液体进行传热分析，以使这种新技术充分发挥其潜力，并确保其符合汽车，航空航天，工业和船舶成型标准。蒙特利尔理工大学的Trochu教授是过程模拟软件PAM-RTM的开发者，** 自2001年以来由ESI集团商业化，全球用户超过200人（www.esi-group.com）。René Matériaux Composites，Inc.联系了他，他被公认为该领域的世界领导者。(RMC)分析空气和液体流经颗粒床的传热。为此，将 ** 测量渗透率，并通过离散单元法 **（DEM）评估颗粒床的有效导热率。计算机过程模拟在复合材料制造的高度竞争的工业环境中起着重要的作用。该项目将补充工业 ** 合作伙伴目前进行的实地工作，该合作伙伴正在投资让专利工艺的发明者John Borland参与该项目，并由RMC的研发经理Marc Grenier进行监督。完成后，将建立一个路线图，为未来的工作 ** 制造的复合材料示范部分的自适应成型提出合作 ** 研究和开发（CRD）赠款申请。

Granular jamming is a phenomenon known since the 1940's that enable materials to switch from fluid-like to**solid state. The patented innovation of the industry partner (US patent 9211660) based on material jamming**enables an effective and low cost modification to existing Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) processes that are**increasingly used in aerospace and automotive applications. The patent requires that granular material can be**made to conform and reversibly solidify to adequately support a semi-flexible mold face while resisting**autoclave-like resin injection pressures. The innovative adaptive molding technology has the potential to**reduce tooling and process costs, thus opening new applications of high performance composites, especially for**parts of dimension. Heat transfer analysis of liquid flows through granular beds is strongly needed to allow this**new technology to reach its full potential and ensure that it will meet automotive, aerospace, industrial and**marine molding standards.**Professor Trochu of Polytechnique Montréal is the developer of the process simulation software PAM-RTM,**commercialized since 2001 by ESI Group with more than 200 users worldwide (www.esi-group.com).**Recognized as a world leader in the field, he was contacted by René Matériaux Composites, Inc. (RMC) to**analyze the heat transfer in air and liquid flows through granular beds. For that purpose, permeability will be**measured, and the effective heat conductivity of the granular bed evaluated by the Discrete Element Method**(DEM). Computer process simulation plays an important role in the highly competitive industrial environment**of composite manufacturing. The project will complement current field work conducted by the industrial**partner, who is investing to involve the inventor of the patented process, John Borland, in the project with the**supervision of RMC's R&D manager, Marc Grenier. Upon completion, a roadmap for future work on the**fabrication of a composite demonstration part by adaptive molding will be established to propose a Cooperative**Research and Development (CRD) grant application.