Resin Transfer Molding of Composite Aircraft Structures

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is a process that has been used for manufacturing fiberglass parts for many years. Renewed interest in RTM has been stimulated by the need for improved producibility in advanced composite manufacture. Recent developments in resins, reinforcement and automation have made RTM a viable option for manufacturing aircraft structures. The Wichita State University -Institute for Aviation Research (WSU-IAR) is conducting studies to determine the quality and producibility of structures fabricated with this process. A transparent mold has been constructed to allow resin flow visualization and modeling of the relationships between processing variables and molding success. This paper addresses these issues while reviewing the current “state of the art” in tool design and RTM processing.