Effects of Void Distribution on Permeability in Plain-Woven Glass Cloths

Resin infusion simulations based on Darcy’s law and the Kozeny-Carman equation are widely utilized to mitigate molding defects in liquid resin infusion methods such as vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VaRTM). The permeability of textile reinforcements varies significantly with weave structure, as differences in the void distribution between fiber bundles directly affect resin flow. This study quantified void distributions in two types of plain-woven glass cloths with distinct weave structures. Permeability, flow behavior, and flow direction were assessed through both resin infusion experiments and simulations based on the Kozeny-Carman equation. The findings demonstrated that variations in weave structures result in significant differences in void distribution, which in turn have a substantial impact on resin flow characteristics.