Curing simulation by autoclave resin infusion

This paper deals with the modelling and simulation of resin flow, heat transfer and the curing of a multilayer thermoset composite by the resin film infusion process. For approximately isothermal flows, the model is based on Darcy's Law and Stoke's equations where a similarity solution is obtained and subsequently used in a two-dimensional convection-diffusion heat equation coupled with a rate of cure equation. A finite difference scheme is applied to the energy equation on a moving grid and simulations for varying laminate thicknesses and number of plies are performed. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.