Will vibration increase flow rate through spherical matrix?

[MS75]

Okay guys - riddle me this!

Scenario -

Consider a mould of a relatively simple shape - approx 5M long, 1.5m wide, .750m high.

The internal surfaces of the mould are laid up with fibreglass matting, and then the mould is filled with lightweight spheres of a size range approx 5mm-8mm. To ensure the spheres are reasonably well packed in ther mould is tilted on a 45 degree angle and vibrated whilst filling.

The mould is then placed in a vacuum chamber and drawn down to near complete vacuum.

Resin is then injected into the mould at 1 Bar (giving a total pressure difference of approx 2 bar)through a 4 inch port intil the mould is completely filled - indicated via show ports on the top of the mould.

My question is this - will vibration of the mould increase the speed of the resin through the matrix of spheres and thereby decrease the time required to fill the mould with resin?

Please cite any good references or texts you'd recommend also.

Cheers
Sean
Australia!

 

[Compositepro]

Only if the resin is shear thinning, which is not likely. Most people's experience is with vibrating concrete which is a Bingham Plastic. A certain shear stress on the fluid is required before any flow occurs. Under this shear stress level it behaves as a solid. Vibration fluidizes concrete so that bubbles can rise and aggregate can settle. Some resins can behave this way if they have a high level of filler.

 

[MS75]

Excellent - cheers mate.

You may have something there as the resin is actually a mixture of resin AND glass microballoons as the filler. This significantly reduces the mass of the part.

Looks like it is at least worth doing a trial.

Many thanks.