Thesis
Effects of preform architecture and processing parameters on the production of wood strand reinforced resin transfer molded composite panels
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105334
Abstract
Resin transfer molding is widely used in the aerospace and automotive industries due to their low cost and high specific properties. When substituted for synthetic fibers, low density wood strands can reduce the mass and embodied energy of the final product while allowing for the utilization of lower-quality, small-diameter timber. This study sought to develop the methodology to produce wood strand preforms bound with polyethylene and the methodology to produce resin transfer molded and compression resin transfer molded wood strand composite panels. To determine the most suitable parameters for the production of polyethylene-bound wood strand preforms, several combinations of binder type and content were examined: 1%, 5%, and 20% low density polyethylene and 1% high density polyethylene. The permeability of the preforms was measured as resin was injected through them during the resin transfer molding process using a volumetric derivation of Darcy’s Law. The resin transfer molded panels were tested to obtain the mechanical properties and a statistical analysis was performed to select the most suitable combination of preform parameters. The best combination of parameters was reproduced as a compression resin transfer molded composite panel to obtain a more comprehensive battery of mechanical properties to compare to existing natural fiber and synthetic composites. The results of this study showed that at most, 1% low density polyethylene binder is sufficient to fully bind wood strands into a stable and usable preform. No significant benefits in permeability or mechanical properties were derived from the use of a higher polyethylene content or the use of high density polyethylene. The use of a volumetric interpretation of Darcy’s law circumvented any issues associated with the resin flow not being visible through the acrylic mold surface as it flows through the center of the preform. When compared with other natural fiber composites, resin transfer molded wood strand composites generally exhibited superior mechanical properties (~100 MPa flexural strength and ~10 GPa flexural modulus) dimensional stability when exposed to moisture (~4% moisture absorption and ~2% thickness swell).
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Details
- Title
- Effects of preform architecture and processing parameters on the production of wood strand reinforced resin transfer molded composite panels
- Creators
- Benjamin Scott Gartner
- Contributors
- Vikram Yadama (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525277701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis