The Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University is pioneering a new experimental method to measure resin residence time and its local variation across the cross-section of pultrusion profiles. The approach is designed to improve understanding of flow fields in injection box technology, which is increasingly replacing open impregnation baths in the production of lightweight fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) components.

According to IKV, injection boxes enhance product quality and boost process productivity, especially for highly reactive matrix systems. Previous research examined geometric influences on backflow, but the role of injection strategies on production speed and impregnation quality remains underexplored.

In the study, IKV uses an impulsive color change in the resin during pultrusion to visualize the flow field. Cross-sections are analyzed for color distribution, and digital image correlation maps the temporal variation, delivering new insights into resin flow and impregnation dynamics.

Findings show potential in combining injection box geometry, injection strategy, and semi-finished textile products to improve process efficiency and component quality.

The first project meeting will be held at IKV on September 23, 2025. The research is part of IGF project (01IF23502N), funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) under the Industrial Collective Research (IGF) program.

Source: ikv-aachen.de