Page 106 - Template Tesis UTM v2.0

Due to the pressure differential, the resin will flow into the mould cavity via

resin channel flow line, as illustrated in Figure 3.2. This process requires detailed
planning so that all the parts can be infused in a reasonable amount of time without

any dry spots. In this regard, the selection of fibres, flow media, resin flow line and
location of vacuum ports are critical in making good laminates. Furthermore, this

process has environmental advantages as styrene emission is minimised because the
curing process occurs in a closed environment. Consequently, the high strength and

stiffness laminate at the minimum weight can be produced via VIP due to the high

fibre content achieved at the end of the process.

Vacuum gauge

Material
Epoxy
construction Resin trap Vacuum pump

Bagging film

Dry fibres
(E-glass, basalt, jute and flax)
Mould

Figure 3.2 Schematic diagram of vacuum infusion process (VIP)

3.3 Sample Configurations

Table 3.2 illustrates the construction of hybrid and pure laminate samples. Two

types of stacking sequences were considered in this study, namely sandwich-like (SL)

and intercalation (IC) sequences for hybrid composites of E-glass/basalt, E-glass/jute
and E-glass/flax. Sandwich-like (SL) sequence means that there are two layers of E-

glass at upper and lower sides and the middle was filled with natural fibres from either
basalt, jute or flax which reacts as a core as in Figure 3.3(a), whereas, the intercalation

(IC) sequence occurs when only one layer of E-glass at the extremist and natural fibres

76