Wicking Tests for Unidirectional Fabrics: Measurements of Capillary Parameters to Evaluate Capillary Pressure in Liquid Composite Molding Processes

Summary

An experimental method to measure geometrical parameters and the apparent advancing contact angles describing capillary wicking in unidirectional synthetic and natural fabrics is proposed. These parameters are mandatory for the determination of the capillary pressures that must be taken into account for liquid composite molding (LCM) applications.

Abstract

During impregnation of a fibrous reinforcement in liquid composite molding (LCM) processes, capillary effects have to be understood in order to identify their influence on void formation in composite parts. Wicking in a fibrous medium described by the Washburn equation was considered equivalent to a flow under the effect of capillary pressure according to the Darcy law. Experimental tests for the characterization of wicking were conducted with both carbon and flax fiber reinforcement. Quasi-unidirectional fabrics were then tested by means of a tensiometer to determine the morphological and wetting parameters along the fiber direction. The procedure was shown to be promising when the morphology of the fabric is unchanged during capillary wicking. In the case of carbon fabrics, the capillary pressure can be calculated. Flax fibers are sensitive to moisture sorption and swell in water. This phenomenon has to be taken into account to assess the wetting parameters. In order to make fibers less sensitive to water sorption, a thermal treatment was carried out on flax reinforcements. This treatment enhances fiber morphological stability and prevents swelling in water. It was shown that treated fabrics have a linear wicking trend similar to those found in carbon fabrics, allowing for the determination of capillary pressure.

Introduction

During impregnation of fibrous reinforcements in liquid composite molding (LSM) processes, the resin flow is driven by a pressure gradient. Capillary effects have an additional effect that can compete with the pressure gradient, depending on the process parameters. Their influence on the process thus has to be evaluated^1,2. This can be done by defining an apparent capillary pressure, P_cap, modifying the initial pressure gradient³. This parameter may subsequently be inserted into numerical models in order to simulate flows during processes and to accurately predict vo....

Protocol

Caution: Consult all relevant material safety data sheets. Chemicals used for the tests are toxic and carcinogenic. Use personal protective equipment (safety glasses, gloves, lab coat, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes).

1. Setup for Tests

1. Preparation of samples
   1. Cut strips of fabric along the direction perpendicular to the fibers (in order to test wicking in the fiber direction).
      NOTE: The lengths of the strips are calculated in order to obtain a defined fiber volume ratio. For carbon fabrics, to obtain V_f = 40%, the length of the strips was 150 mm. For untreated and t....

Results

Curves of mass gain during wicking obtained with the tensiometer for carbon and untreated and treated flax fabrics are shown in Figures 2 and 3. All curves are shown after the subtraction of both weights of the external meniscus due to the sample holder and filter paper and are shifted to zero.

It is possible to observe from the plots in Figure 2 that, with both n-hexane and wat.......

Discussion

The critical steps in the protocol relate to the preparation of the samples. Firstly, the rolled sampled have to be tight in order to make the assumption of a homogeneous fiber volume ratio. If there is a tightness gradient in the sample, the Washburn equation^5,6 cannot be used to fit the wicking curves. In addition, the boundary conditions between the fabric and the sample holder are difficult to control. Thus, the filter paper (1.1.3) must also be carefully ins.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Carbon UD fabrics	Hexcel	48580
Flax UD fabrics	Libeco	FLAXDRY UD 180
n-Hexane	Sigma Aldrich
Sulfochromic acid	home made		toxic and corrosive
Filter paper	Dataphysic	FP11
Tensiometer	Dataphysic	DCAT11