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NEW TECHNIQUE OF PLASTIC MOULD FOR THERMOSET COMPOSITE FABRICATION MOHAMAD MUSTAQIIM B. CHE HASSAN UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

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Page 1: NEW TECHNIQUE OF PLASTIC MOULD FOR THERMOSET …eprints.utem.edu.my/2856/1/New_Technique_Of_Plastic_Mould_For...new technique of plastic mould for thermoset composite fabrication

NEW TECHNIQUE OF PLASTIC MOULD FOR

THERMOSET COMPOSITE FABRICATION

MOHAMAD MUSTAQIIM B. CHE HASSAN

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

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UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

NEW TECHNIQUE OF PLASTIC MOULD FOR THERMOSET

COMPOSITE FABRICATION

This report submitted in accordance with requirement of the Universiti Teknikal

Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor Degree of Manufacturing Engineering

(Engineering Materials) with Honours.

by

MOHAMAD MUSTAQIIM BIN CHE HASSAN

FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

2010

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UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA

TAJUK: New Technique of Plastic Mould for Thermoset Composite Fabrication SESI PENGAJIAN: 2009/2010 Semester 1 Saya MOHAMAD MUSTAQIIM BIN CHE HASSAN mengaku membenarkan Laporan PSM ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Laporan PSM adalah hak milik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dan penulis. 2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk

tujuan pengajian sahaja dengan izin penulis. 3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan PSM ini sebagai bahan pertukaran

antara institusi pengajian tinggi. 4. **Sila tandakan (√)

√ SULIT

TERHAD

TIDAK TERHAD

(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia yang termaktub di dalam

AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)

(Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan

oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)

Alamat Tetap:

Lot 4720, Kg. Tersusun Bt. 6,

31150 Ulu Kinta,

Ipoh, Perak.

Tarikh: 20 April 2010

Disahkan oleh:

Cop Rasmi: Tarikh: 20 April 2010

** Jika Laporan PSM ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak berkuasa/organisasi berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh laporan PSM ini perlu dikelaskan sebagai

SULIT atau TERHAD.

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DECLARATION

I hereby, declared this report entitled “New Technique of Plastic Mould For

Thermoset Composite Fabrication” is the results of my own research except as cited

in references.

Signature : …………………………………………………

Author’s Name : MOHAMAD MUSTAQIIM B. CHE HASSAN

Date : 20 APRIL 2010

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APPROVAL

This report is submitted to the Faculty of manufacturing Engineering of UTeM as a

partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Manufacturing

Engineering (Engineering Materials) with Honours. The member of the supervisory

committee is as follow:

...........................................

(Principal Supervisor)

(Mohd Yuhazri Bin Yaakob)

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ABSTRACT

This research relates to a new technique of plastic mould for thermoset composite

fabrication. Currently mild steel, wood and aluminium are as the moulds for

moulding the plastic products as they hard and tough. However these moulds require

high tooling cost and some complex shapes cannot be produced. Thus, this research

is a development of new technique that used plastic as the moulds. The plastic that

was used is PVC film from thermoplastic material. For manufacturing the thermoset

composite, a new technique was developed from Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion

Moulding (VARIM) process but different from the moulds. Both of the upper and

bottom mould used were flexible moulds from PVC film. A polyester resin was used

as the matrices and fibreglass was used as the reinforcement for manufacture the

thermoset composite. Lastly, after the composite were produced they had been

inspected for quality assurance to measure the successful of this new technique of

plastic mould. These involved mould capability, surface quality of the resulted

composite and manufacturing complexity based on three experimental product

designs that had been decided which are simple design, medium design and complex

design. In general, the results showed that this new technique of plastic mould for

thermoset composite fabrication was successfully produced and feasible for

fabrication trial products or a small quantity of productions with reducing the

manufacturing costs. The new technique of plastic mould also increases most of the

mechanical properties of the thermoset composite than if they were produced by

hand lay up technique or vacuum infusion technique. In addition, the plastic mould

can also be repeated for almost 8 times. Due to that this technique significantly

reduced the tooling cost and time for making the mould.

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ABSTRAK

Kajian ini melibatkan pembangunan teknik menghasilkan komposit termoset di mana

acuan yang digunakan ialah daripada bahan plastik. Kebiasaannya, bahan acuan

mestilah lebih kuat dan keras dari bahan yang akan dihasilkan seperti acuan dari besi,

kayu dan aluminium. Akan tetapi, bahan acuan tersebut memerlukan kos yang tinggi

dan tidak sesuai dalam menghasilkan produk yang mempunyai bentuk yang

kompleks. Berdasarkan masalah tersebut, kajian ini merupakan pembangunan teknik

baru yang akan menggunakan plastik sebagai bahan acuan. Plastik yang akan

digunakan adalah filem PVC daripada bahan termoplastik. Untuk menghasilkan

komposit termoset, proses yang akan digunakan mirip dengan proses Vacuum

Assisted Resin Infusion Moulding (VARIM) tetapi berbeza daripada segi bahan

acuan. Bahan acuan yang fleksibel iaitu filem PVC dan resin poliester digunakan

sebagai bahan pengikat untuk menghasilkan termoset komposit. Akhir sekali, setelah

komposit dihasilkan, ianya akan diperiksa untuk mengukur kejayaan teknik baru ini.

Ianya melibatkan keupayaan bahan acuan ini, kualiti permukaan termoset yang

dihasilkan dan kesukaran penghasilan berdasarkan pada tiga jenis model eksperimen

yang telah diputuskan iaitu reka bentuk mudah, reka bentuk sederhana dan reka

bentuk kompleks. Secara umum, hasil yang diperolehi membuktikan bahawa teknik

baru ini yang menggunakan bahan acuan daripada plastik untuk menghasilkan

komposit termoset berjaya dibangunkan dan sesuai untuk pembuatan produk

percubaan dan sejumlah kecil produk dengan mengurangkan kos pengeluaran.

Komposit termoset yang dihasilkan melalui teknik ini menunjukkan peningkatan

bagi sifat mekanikal komposit tersebut dan cuan plastik yang digunakan dapat diguna

pakai sehingga 8 kali. Oleh itu, ianya dapat menjimatkan kos peralatan dan masa

yang diperlukan untuk menghasilkan acuan.

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DEDICATION

To my family; Hassan Ishak, Aini Hamzah, Zureen Hassan and Jannah Hassan

who is always there when it matters,

to all my friends,

for the big things and little ones.

every hour, every moment of every day,

I will always love you all with my heart and love...

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Alhamdulillah, thankful to Allah S.W.T and the prophet Nabi Muhammad S.A.W.

with the power and permission from Allah I have finished my research proposal on

the specified deadline.

Firstly, I would like to thank to my supervisor, En. Mohd Yuhazri B. Yaakob who is

always guides me in this research. Much knowledge about the composite and

manufacturing processes that I had learned throughout my research period. All the

practical work and experience gained in this research pose precious value as bits and

pieces of my working experience which will be ultimately helpful in my future

endeavours.

Lastly, my heartfelt appreciation also goes to my family, my friends and everybody

in UTeM for their help and knowledge they give to me. Their advices and

cooperation had helped me a lot throughout my research and I am forever grateful for

that. May Allah bless you all always.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER TOPIC PAGES

Abstract

Abstrak

Dedication

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Content v

List of Tables vii

List of Figures viii

List of Abbreviations

List of Symbols ix

i

ii

iii

iv

v

ix

x

xii

xiv

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Problem Statement 2

1.3 Objectives 3

1.4 Scope 3

1.5 Rational of Research 4

1.6 Research Methodology 5

1.7 Thesis Frame 6

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 8

2.1 Introduction 8

2.2 Previous Invention of Plastic Mould 10

2.3 Mould 12

2.4 Plastic Materials 13

2.4.1 Thermoplastics 13

2.4.1.1 PVC Film 14

2.4.2 Thermosets 16

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2.4.2.1 Polyester Resin 18

2.4.2.2 Epoxy Resins 19

2.4.2.3 Summary of Resin 19

2.5 Fibres 20

2.6 Overview of Thermoset Composite Fabrication 21

2.6.1 Hand Lay Up Process 21

2.6.2 Spray Up Process 22

2.6.3 Vacuum Bag Autoclave Process 23

2.6.4 Resin Transfer Moulding Process 25

2.6.5 Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion

Moulding (VARIM) Process

26

2.6.6 Summary of Thermoset Composite

Fabrication

28

2.7 Non Destructive Testing 29

2.7.1 Visual Inspection 29

3.0 METHODOLOGY 30

3.1 Introduction 30

3.2 Methodology of Flow Chart 30

3.3 Materials Selection 31

3.3.1 PVC Film 32

3.3.2 Polyester Resin 33

3.4 Process Equipments 35

3.4.1 Woven roving fibreglass type E 35

3.4.2 Polyester resin 35

3.4.3 Hardener (MEKP) 35

3.4.4 Released agent / gel coat 36

3.4.5 Plastic tape 36

3.4.6 Vacuum pump 36

3.4.7 Resin trap 36

3.4.8 Spherical tube 37

3.4.9 PU tube 37

3.5 Experimental Design 37

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3.5.1 Design 1: Simple Design 38

3.5.2 Design 2: Medium Design 38

3.5.3 Design 3: Complex Design 39

3.6 Processing 40

3.6.1 Original VARIM Process 40

3.6.2 Modification on VARIM Process 41

3.6.2.1 Procedures 44

3.7 Testing of the Product 45

3.7.1 Mould Capability 46

3.7.2 Surface Finish Quality 46

3.7.3 Complexity Manufacturing 48

4.0 EXPERIMENTAL WORKS OF NEW

TECHNIQUE

49

4.1 Introduction 49

4.2 Experimental Procedure 49

4.2.1 Simple Design Fabrication 50

4.2.2 Medium Design 52

4.2.3 Complex Design 54

5.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 58

5.1 Introduction 58

5.2 Mould Capability Analysis 59

5.3 Surface Quality Analysis 62

5.4 Complexity Manufacturing Analysis 67

5.4.1 Design 1: Simple Design 68

5.4.2 Design 2: Medium Design 68

5.4.3 Design 3: Complex Design 69

5.5 Mechanical Properties Analysis 70

5.6 Summary of Analysis 72

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6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 74

6.1 Conclusion 74

6.2 Recommendations 76

REFERENCES 77

APPENDICES

A PSM 1 Gantt Chart 83

B PSM 2 Gantt Chart 84

C Process Equipments and Materials 85

D Plastic Mould 87

E Experimental Work 88

F Final Composite 89

G Surface Roughness Result on Final Composite 90

H Award 91

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LIST OF TABLES

NO TITLES PAGES

2.1 Physical properties of PVC 15

2.2 Physical properties of PVC films 16

2.3 Some characteristics and uses of epoxy and polyester

thermosets

20

3.1 PVC film specification 33

5.1 Non repeated equipments price comparison 60

5.2 Repeated equipments price comparison 61

5.3 Surface roughness result 63

5.4 Comparison on the mechanical properties of the sample

composites from different techniques

70

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LIST OF FIGURES

NO TITLES PAGES

1.1 Research methodology flowchart 5

2.1 Repeating chemical structural unit of PVC 15

2.2 Fibreglass type E 20

2.3 Hand lay up process 22

2.4 Spray up process 23

2.5 Vacuum bag autoclave process 24

2.6 Resin transfer moulding process 25

2.7 Vacuum assisted resin infusion moulding (VARIM) process 27

3.1 Methodology of flowchart for developing a new technique

of plastic mould for thermoset composite fabrication

31

3.2 PVC film 32

3.3 Polyester resin 33

3.4 Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) hardener 34

3.5 Rectangular shape as a simple design 38

3.6 Round kitchen sink as a medium design 38

3.7 Jimny back door as a complex design 39

3.8 Schematic illustration of the vacuum assisted resin infusion

moulding (VARIM) process

40

3.9 Setup in a new technique of plastic mould for thermoset

composite fabrication.

42

3.10 Process flow chart of the new technique. 44

3.11 Portable surface roughness taste, SJ-301 47

4.1 Release agent is applied to the mould 50

4.2 Fabrication process on simple design 51

4.3 Final product of simple design 52

4.4 Gel coat is applied on the frying pan 52

4.5 The PVC film was formed to the shape of the frying pan 53

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4.6 The final product in the shape of round sink 54

4.7 The Suzuki Jimny back door 54

4.8 General sequence of producing the Jimny back door 55

4.9 The PVC film successfully followed the Jimny dimension 56

4.10 The results of the Jimny 56

5.1 Surface roughness measurement 62

5.2 Graph of surface roughness result 64

5.3 Misaligned defect in composite product 65

5.4 Non uniform resin distribution in simple design fabrication 66

5.5 Non uniform resin distribution in complex design fabrication 67

5.6 Rectangular shape; (a) original design, (b) actual product 68

5.7 Round kitchen sink; (a) original design, (b) actual product 68

5.8 Suzuki Jimny back door; (a) original design, (b) actual

product

69

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

BMC - Bulk Moulding Compound

C - Carbon

C - Celsius

CAL - Calibration

FRP - Fibre Reinforced Plastic

g - Gram

GPa - Giga Pascal

H - Hydrogen

Hg - Mercury

I - International

J - Joule

K - Kelvin

kg - Kilogram

kN - Kilo Newton

lb - Pound

m - Metre

MEKP - Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide mm - Millimetre

MPa - Mega Pascal

NDT - Non Destructive Testing

NR - Non Repeated

PBT - Polybutylene terephthalate

PET - Polyethylentherephthalate

PC - Polycarbonate

Psi - Pound per square inch

PU - Polyurethane

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PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride

R - Repeated

Ra - Arithmetic mean value

Rq - Root-mean-square average

Ry - Maximum roughness height

Rz - Ten-point height of irregularities

RTM - Resin Transfer Moulding

S.D.D - Shore Durometer Type D SCRIMP - Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Moulding Process

SI - International System

SMC - Sheet Moulding Compound

UV - Ultraviolet

VARI - Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion

VARIM - Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Moulding

VARTM - Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding

VBRTM - Vacuum Bag Resin Transfer Moulding

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LIST OF SYMBOLS

% - Percent

µ - Micro

º - Degree

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Within a decade, fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) materials composites were being used by

several industries, for example in the automobile industry. Manufacturing of composite

materials is very different from metals. This is because when making a metal part, the

properties of the virgin material and the finished part are fundamentally unchanged.

However for composites, their manufacturing process plays a key role. During

composite processing, manufacturer makes not only the part of the desired shape, but

also the material itself with specific properties as Coleman, D., et al. (2006) stated that

the properties of composite can be changed by varying the type and quantity of its

ingredients. Fibre type, length, and mix proportion help determine properties such as

strength and rigidity. In addition, resin characteristics can be changed to provide the

desired process ability, durability, heat, and corrosion resistance.

However, the lacked of automated and repeatable manufacturing processes drive the cost

of composite parts up and limited the number of potential uses. The majority of the

manufacturing composite was very labour intensive and not very cost effective.

According to the study by Foster, N.G., (1998), in early stages of development, the cost

of composite materials was very high and only selected industries involved. They took

advantages because of their properties such as light weight and the high strength which

outweighed the cost factor.

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Many different processes are used to manufacture composite into final products such as

sheet, rods, extruded sections, pipe, or finished mould parts. The process used depends

to a certain extent on whether the plastic is a thermoplastic or thermoset one.

Thermoplastic are usually heated to a soft condition and then reshaped before cooling.

On the other hand, thermoset materials not having been completely polymerized before

processing to the finished shape use a process by which a chemical reaction occurs to

cross link polymer chains into a network polymeric material. The final polymerization

can take place by the application of heat and pressure or by catalytic action at room

temperature or higher temperatures.

1.2 Problem Statement

This research is focused on new technique of plastic mould for thermoset composite

fabrication which it involves development for mould that made from plastic. Then, the

mould is used to make the composite products where polyester as the matrix and

fibreglass as the reinforcement.

There are generally used a mild steel, tool steel, wood, and aluminium mould for

moulding plastic products as they hard and tough. However these moulds require high

tooling cost and some complex shapes cannot be produced. The choice of material to

build a mould from plastic is primarily one of economics than the steel mould which is

generally cost more to construct. Due to intrinsic limitations of steel, a thermoplastic

material was selected as replacement material for making the mould. Thermoplastic

material provides more strength, dimensional stability, and corrosion resistance than

steel, while increasing design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency.

Manufacture of thermoset composite generally using the physics of flows through

porous media as the resin viscosity is low enough to move relative to the network of

fibre performs which the impregnation of a molten resin into a fibre bundle is easy

(Grimsley, B.W., et al., 2001). The apparatus and processes used to make these

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structures therefore vary considerably depending upon the specific shape and form of the

structure to be produced.

1.3 Objectives

This research focuses to a new technique of plastic mould for thermoset composite

fabrication. It involves development for mould made from plastic which is fast, uses

inexpensive tooling and provides a wide variety of curved and contour shaping in the

moulded article. On the other hand, the objectives also to invent new technique that can

reduce costs and efficient for moulding trial products or a small quantity of productions.

1.4 Scope

The research had been conducted within the following scope:

(a) PVC film from thermoplastic material as the plastic mould.

(b) Polyester resin from thermoset material as the matrices for composite

material.

(c) The development from vacuum assisted resin infusion moulding process

was approached in this research for thermoset composite fabrication.

(d) Limits on the strength and toughness analysis of the mould.

(e) Limits on the strength and toughness analysis of the composite product.

(f) Study the quality of the final composite products.

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1.5 Rational of Research

Composite materials containing fibre bundles or flakes as reinforcements in a thermoset

resin matrix. Thermoset composites provide more strength, dimensional stability, and

corrosion resistance than metals, while increasing design flexibility and manufacturing

efficiency. In addition Coleman, D., et al. (2006) highlighted that thermoset composite

structures have long life spans and low maintenance requirements. Due to the intrinsic

limitations of metals many design engineers utilize thermoset composites as a metal

replacement material for high performance applications.

Manufacture of thermoset composite generally requires high strength precision but it is

well known that the impregnation of a molten resin into a fibre bundle is easy. The

apparatus and processes used to make these structures therefore vary considerably

depending upon the specific shape and form of the structure to be produced. A technique

that was developed from Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Moulding (VARIM) process

had been used to form fibre reinforced plastic structures. In this technique, flexible

moulds are used to cover the pattern and vacuum serves to shape the mould, to draw the

resin through the fibreglass and to remove any air. Traditionally, moulds have been

expensive to manufacture. They were usually only used in mass production where

thousands of parts were being produced. There are generally used a mild steel, tool steel,

wood, and aluminium mould for moulding plastic products as they hard and tough.

However this type of mould requires high tooling cost and some complex shapes cannot

be produced.

The choice of material to build a mould from plastic is primarily one of economics and

easy for processing. With the advantage and limitations of the thermoplastic and

thermoset material, they offer the composite industry a spectrum of choice which gives

the opportunity for further expansion of the industry as a whole (Munirah, M., 1995).

Thus, the objective of the research is to provide plastic moulds having good in durability

to be used for thermoset composite fabrication.

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1.6 Research Methodology

Figure 1.1 shows the flowchart of the research. The flow is summarized by defining the

steps taken in order to fulfil the objectives for this research. There are generally five

major steps need to be concentrated at in ensuring the research run smoothly.

As shown in the Figure 1.1, the steps need to be put in order where it consists of material

selection, parameter selection, processing, testing, and analysis of data collected.

Figure 1.1: Research methodology flowchart.

In material selection steps, plastic material had been identified in this research. Plastic

are a large and varied group of synthetic materials that are processed by forming or

moulding into shape. Plastics can be divided into two classes, thermoplastics and

thermoset materials, depending on how they are structurally chemically bonded. In this

research, PVC film from thermoplastic material will be used as the material for moulds

and polyester from thermoset material will be used as the matrices in the composite.

Analysis and Conclusion

Material Selection

Parameter Selection

Processing

Testing