Effects of surface modification on the resin-transfer moulding (RTM) of glass-fibre/unsaturated-polyester composites

Abstract

The effects of glass fibre surface modification on the flow characteristics of unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin were investigated in the resin-transfer moulding (RTM) process. g-Methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (g-MPS) was used as a glass fibre surfacemodifier. It was found that surface energy of glass fibre was decreased by g-MPS treatment by advancing contact-angle measurement. Unsteady state permeability of glass fabric preforms was measured according to Darcys law. The apparent permeability of g-MPS-treated glass fabric preforms was slightly lower than that of untreated fabric performs because of the macro/micro flow induced by capillary action. The void contents and the flexural properties of the cured glass-fibre/UPE composites were estimated and morphological study of the glass-fibre/UPE composites was also performed by SEM. When the fibre surface was treated with g-MPS, the void content and the flexural properties of the glass-fibre/UPE composites were different in different regions of the mould cavity. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.