Abstract
This paper introduces Porous Mold Process (PMP) as a reliable low-cost manufacturing process of fiber-reinforced composites. PMP using porous aluminum is applied to the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VaRTM) process of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). Experimental evaluation on resin infusion behavior and quality and mechanical properties of the cured plates is performed with varying the dimensions of the plates. The results show that quality and mechanical properties of the cured plates using PMP are satisfactory, stable, and almost independent of plate dimensions. It is concluded that PMP provides a reliable and knowhow-less resin infusion process of composite materials.
