What is it about?
This paper describes the fabrication of CFRP antenna reflectors used in space communication applications using the vacuum infusion process. Number of layers and pressure gradient were considered as process parameters to evaluate dimensional accuracy. ANSYS Fluent software has been utilized to acquire pressure drop throughout the reflector. The mold filling time has also been measured during the manufacturing process for different laminate thicknesses.
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Why is it important?
In this research paper, the VIP process was used for manufacturing CFRP antenna reflectors. The non-contact 3D scanning technique was used to measure the deviation at the inner surface of the reflector with 200 locations. The part thickness was measured at different locations of manufactured reflectors. The effect of part thickness and fiber volume fraction with respect to different locations was studied along with compaction pressure. The pressure variation was simulated in ANSYS Fluent, and the results were validated with an analytical approach.
Perspectives
Warpage variation in 8 and 12 layer reflectors is 33% and 42% less than four layers reflectors. The average thickness of the antenna reflectors along the resin flow direction decreased from the resin inlet to the resin outlet position due to the difference in resin pressure during the manufacturing process. The fiber volume fraction was higher for thick laminates compared to thin laminates. The pressure distribution across the antenna reflector was simulated as a flow-through porous media using ANSYS Fluent software. The static pressure is higher at the resin inlet position compared to the resin outlet position. Maximum pressure was observed at the center area across the inlet and outlet transverse direction. Mold filling time is higher in thick laminates compared to thin laminates.
Dr Dhaval B. Shah
Nirma University of Science and Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Experimental investigations on process parameters for manufacturing of antenna reflectors using vacuum infusion process, SPE Polymers, December 2020, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/pls2.10026.
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