Abstract
The composite industry looks toward a new material system (resins) based on thermoplastic polymers for the vacuum infusion process, similar to the infusion process using thermosetting polymers. A large number of thermoplastics are available in the market with a variety of properties suitable for different engineering applications, and few of those are available in a not yet polymerised form suitable for resin infusion. The proper selection of a new resin system among these thermoplastic polymers is a concern for manufactures in the current scenario and a special mathematical tool would be beneficial. In this paper, the authors introduce a new decision making tool for resin selection based on significant attributes. This article provides a broad overview of suitable thermoplastic material systems for vacuum infusion process available in today’s market. An illustrative example—resin selection for vacuum infused of a wind turbine blade—is shown to demonstrate the intricacies involved in the proposed methodology for resin selection.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Dynamic Methods and Process Advancements in Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Materials Engineering |
| Editors | J. Paulo Davim |
| Publisher | IGI global |
| Publication date | 2012 |
| Pages | 267-288 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-4666-1867-1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |