Resin injection technologies have many advantages when compared to traditional prepreg/autoclave technology.

• Preparing the dry fibre preform can be much more efficient than laminating prepregs. The material is dry, which makes the handling much easier. There is no time limitation as with prepregs, due to the absence of resin. There is no risk of leaving foils behind in the laminate, a common mistake with prepreg. The preform stack can be partially de-assembled in case of errors or for quality control. The preforming can be done in a normal industrial facility, as opposed to the requirement for an expensive cleanroom for prepregs. And most important, there are many ways to automate the preforming process, such as stitching, braiding, pick-and-place or dry fibre placement.
• The raw fibre and resin materials can be used, instead of the more expensive prepregs. This also gives much more freedom to use new fibre or resin materials.
• Because the resin is injected through the whole thickness of the laminate, there is les risk of delaminations between layers as with prepreg, where the laminate is assembled layer-by-layer. This allows for oven curing with vacuum bag only, instead of the more expensive autoclave.  
• With closed-mould injection (RTM), the part is cured in the heated mould which is very efficient because of the better heat transfer between mould and part, than with oven or autoclave. It also elimates the need of separate curing facilities.
• With closed-mould injection, the outer shape and part thickness is very accurately controlled. 

Airborne has a long experience with using resin injection technologies, such as Vacuum Infusion, especially for large parts, Resin Film Infusion (RFI), Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) and Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM), especially for thick-walled structures. The technology development focusses on better automated preforming techniques, faster curing methods and materials, and simulation of the process, to predict the injection and curing process and analyse residual stresses and deformations.

If you are interested in participating in our research programs, or have materials, processes or technologies that can support these topics, you are more than welcome to contact us via our general contact details or directly via CTO This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it