Preform characterization is an important step in the processing of high-performance parts with liquid composite molding. A better understanding of preform compressibility and permeability creates more accurate process models, ultimately leading to high-quality finished composites. Without characterization, mold design and processing parameters are subject to guess-work and ad hoc optimization methods, which can result in poor infusions and inconsistent part quality. In this study, a complex architecture fiber reinforcement was characterized in compaction and permeability for liquid composite molding. Preforms of a four-harness satin carbon fabric were assembled with and without a novel inter-layer tackifier for experimentation. Compaction and permeability were measured to investigate the effects of the tackifier system, debulking, preform layup, and other processing parameters. Permeability and flow behavior was measured through saturated and unsaturated techniques, including investigations of fluid effects and high-flow rate infusions. The tackifier was seen to decrease permeability in both saturated and unsaturated cases, while notably influencing the orientation of first principal permeability. Tackified preforms also displayed a sensitivity to fluid type that non-tackified samples did not. Experimentally derived permeability was also used to generate numerical mold fill simulations of radially injected infusions, which produced favorable results.
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