There are numerous processes utilized in the composites community. Resin infused fiber preforms offers potential for affordable performance. Key variables that affect cost, performance and rate are reaction kinetics and flow. These variables are resin specific. Historically, the automotive community has focused on low cost and high volume through lower performing materials and low priority on flow and kinetics, while the aerospace community has focused on higher performance and lower volume through optimized kinetics and flow modeling.
Process optimization is a key for final mechanical performance and cost.
Preform and infusion technology, flow modeling, and novel cure processes that can benefit all three communities will be investigated. Such approaches may have benefits to the infrastructure industry as well. These elements will be simultaneously pursued to achieve high performance, low cost, high volume production composite materials beneficial to the aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure communities.