Determining the rates of impregnation by a low-viscous organic binder for a carbon reinforcing satin weave fabric

In this article, we consider the question about the pore formation during impregnation of a reinforcing layer of a carbon four-shaft satin weave fabric by a low-viscous organic binder. Parameters having an effect on the type and dimensions of the forming pores, such as material impregnation rate and quality of production accessories, are shown. The capillary forces arising in the process of impregnating the carbon fabric by an organic binder are estimated depending on architectural parameters of fabric threads. These parameters were measured by an optical microscope. To find the permeability of the carbon fiber based fabric filler, experiments establishing the impregnation time for a certain length of the reinforcing material at different pressures were carried out. The optimum range of the reinforcing layer impregnation rates during the transfer molding of products made of a polymer composition material has been determined. This interval of the impregnation rates allows minimizing the formation of pores in the structure of the resulting laminate. The optimum rates were determined using the well-known theory about the intraand interthread domains and estimation of the optimum impregnation time proceeding from times of filling the intra- and interthread domains. The article is of interest for the development, design, and implementation of the technological process of manufacturing complex shape details of polymer composition materials by transfer molding with the use of such materials.