Heat transfer analysis of a new adaptive molding technology for composites

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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.