Capillary-driven processing in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites: From multiscale modeling to advanced manufacturing
Abstract view|72|times PDF download|35|times
Abstract
The action of capillary pressure plays a crucial role in the formation of voids during the molding process of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. It is primarily driven by surface and interfacial tension, resulting in macroscopic liquid flow controlled by pressure differences. However, due to the influence of microscopic-scale effects, modeling and characterizing the capillary effects in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites presents significant challenges. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the relevant theories on capillary pressure, including fundamental theory, average capillary pressure theory, and interface enhancement theory. Furthermore, it discusses methods related to contact angle experiments, capillary pressure experiments, and multiscale numerical simulations while illustrating examples of capillary forces in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites. This paper aims to help readers gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and applications of the capillary effect in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites.
Document Type: Invited review
Cited as: Li, Z., Sun, Y., Chen, Y., Liu, Z., Tang, Y., Yang, W. Capillary-driven processing in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites: From multiscale modeling to advanced manufacturing. Capillarity, 2025, 16(3): 77-86. https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2025.09.02
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abry, J., Choi, Y., Chateauminois, A., et al. In-situ monitoring of damage in cfrp laminates by means of ac and dc measurements. Composites Science and Technology, 2001, 61(6): 855-864.
Ahn, K., Seferis, J., Berg, J. Simultaneous measurements of permeability and capillary pressure of thermosetting matrices in woven fabric reinforcements. Polymer Composites, 1991, 12(3): 146-152.
Amico, S., Lekakou, C. Axial impregnation of a fiber bundle. Part 2: Theoretical analysis. Polymer Composites, 2002, 23(2): 264-273.
Andriamananjara, K., Moulin, N., Bruchon, J., et al. Numerical modeling of local capillary effects in porous media as a pressure discontinuity acting on the interface of a transient bi-fluid flow. International Journal of Material Forming, 2019, 12(4): 675-691.
Armstrong, R. T., Sun, C., Mostaghimi, P., et al. Multiscale characterization of wettability in porous media. Transport in Porous Media, 2021, 140(1): 215-240.
Bayramli, E., Powell, R. The normal (transverse) impregnation of liquids into axially oriented fiber bundles. Journal of colloid and interface science, 1990, 138(2): 346-353.
Behera, A., Dupare, P., Thawre, M., et al. Effects of hygrothermal aging and fiber orientations on constant amplitude fatigue properties of cfrp multidirectional composite laminates. International Journal of Fatigue, 2020, 136: 105590.
Berry, J. D., Neeson, M. J., Dagastine, R. R., et al. Measurement of surface and interfacial tension using pendant drop tensiometry. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2015, 454: 226-237.
Caglar, B., Tekin, C., Karasu, F., et al. Assessment of capillary phenomena in liquid composite molding. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2019, 120: 73-83.
Cai, J., Chen, Y., Liu, Y., et al. Capillary imbibition and flow of wetting liquid in irregular capillaries: A 100-year review. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 2022, 304: 102654.
Cai, J., Jin, T., Kou, J., et al. Lucas-washburn equation-based modeling of capillary-driven flow in porous systems. Langmuir, 2021, 37(5): 1623-1636.
Chang, C., Hourng, L., Wu, C. Numerical study on the capillary effect of resin transfer molding. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 1997, 16(6): 566- 586.
Chen, Y., Zhang, J., Li, Z., et al. Intelligent methods for optimization design of lightweight fiber-reinforced composite structures: A review and the-state-of-the-art. Frontiers in Materials, 2023a, 10: 1125328.
Chen, Y., Zhang, J., Li, Z., et al. Manufacturing technology of lightweight fiber-reinforced composite structures in aerospace: Current situation and toward intellectualization. Aerospace, 2023b, 10(3): 206.
Daniel, D., Vuckovac, M., Backholm, M., et al. Probing surface wetting across multiple force, length and time scales. Communications Physics, 2023, 6(1): 152.
Deng, Y., Chen, Y., Zhi, J., et al. Modeling capillary pressure in dual-scale fibrous structures for resin transfer molding processing of composites: A brief review and perspective. Capillarity, 2024, 13(3): 60-67.
Devalve, C., Pitchumani, R. Simulation of void formation in liquid composite molding processes. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2013, 51: 22-32.
Dresel, A., Teipel, U. Influence of the wetting behavior and surface energy on the dispersibility of multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2016, 489: 57-66.
Duprat, C., Protière, S., Beebe, A. Y., et al. Wetting of flexible fibre arrays. Nature, 2012, 482(7386): 510-513.
García, E. J., Hart, A. J., Wardle, B. L., et al. Fabrication of composite microstructures by capillarity-driven wetting of aligned carbon nanotubes with polymers. Nanotechnology, 2007, 18(16): 165602.
Hong, X., Wang, P., Yang, W., et al. A multiscale bayesian method to quantify uncertainties in constitutive and microstructural parameters of 3D-printed composites. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2024, 193: 105881.
Kim, H., Lim, J. H., Lee, K., et al. Direct measurement of contact angle change in capillary rise. Langmuir, 2020, 36(48): 14597-14606.
Lawrence, J. M., Neacsu, V., Advani, S. G. Modeling the impact of capillary pressure and air entrapment on fiber tow saturation during resin infusion in lcm. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2009, 40(8): 1053-1064.
Li, Z., Chen, Y., Wang, P., et al. A comprehensive multiscale model for elucidating strain-dependent piezoresistive behavior of porous mwcnts/polymer nanocomposites. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 2025, 320: 113516.
Li, X., Li, Z., Wang, S., et al. Electromechanically stable and flexible poro-hyperelastic composites for multimodal robotic tactile sensing. Composites Science and Technology, 2024, 257: 110821.
Li, Z., Wang, S., Ding, W., et al. Mechanically robust, flexible hybrid tactile sensor with microstructured sensitive composites for human-cyber-physical systems. Composites Science and Technology, 2023, 244: 110303.
Liu, M., Chen, Y., Cheng, W., et al. Controllable electrome-chanical stability of a torsional micromirror actuator with piezoelectric composite structure under capillary force. Capillarity, 2022, 5(3): 51-64.
Liu, P., Yang, R., Yu, A. Dynamics of wet particles in rotating drums: Effect of liquid surface tension. Physics of Fluids, 2011, 23(1): 013304.
Liu, P., Zhao, J., Li, Z., et al. Numerical simulation of multiphase multi-physics flow in underground reservoirs: Frontiers and challenges. Capillarity, 2024, 12(3): 72-79.
Michaud, V. Permeability properties of composite reinforcements, in Composite Reinforcements for Optimum Performance, edited by Michaud, V., Woodhead Publishing, Switzerland, pp. 443-472, 2021.
Neacsu, V., Obaid, A. A., Advani, S. G. Spontaneous radial capillary impregnation across a bank of aligned microcylinders e part I: Theory and model development. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2006, 32(6): 661- 676.
Nordlund, M., Michaud, V. Dynamic saturation curve measurement for resin flow in glass fibre reinforcement. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2012, 43(3): 333-343.
Park, C. H., Lebel, A., Saouab, A., et al. Modeling and simulation of voids and saturation in liquid composite molding processes. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2011, 42(6): 658-668.
Pucci, M. F., Liotier, P. J., Drapier, S. Capillary wicking in a fibrous reinforcement-orthotropic issues to determine the capillary pressure components. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2015, 77: 133-141.
Schwartz, A. M. Capillarity – theory and practice. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, 1969, 61(1): 10-21. Shi, B., Shang, Y., Zhang, P., et al. Dynamic capillarydriven additive manufacturing of continuous carbon fiber composite. Matter, 2020, 2(6): 1594-1604.
Tawfick, S., Zhao, Z., Maschmann, M., et al. Mechanics of capillary forming of aligned carbon nanotube assemblies. Langmuir, 2013, 29(17): 5190-5198.
Teixidó, H., Staal, J., Caglar, B., et al. Capillary effects in fiber reinforced polymer composite processing: A review. Frontiers in Materials, 2022, 9: 809226.
Thomson, W. On the equilibrium of vapour at a curved surface of liquid. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1872, 7: 63-68.
Uematsu, H., Horisawa, N., Horikida, T., et al. Effect of carbon fiber on the capillary extrusion behaviors of high density polyethylene. Polymer Journal, 2013, 45(4): 449- 456.
Wang, Y., Hahn, T. H. Afm characterization of the interfacial properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites subjected to hygrothermal treatments. Composites Science and Technology, 2007, 67(1): 92-101.
Wang, C., Li, Y., Tong, L., et al. The role of grafting force and surface wettability in interfacial enhancement of carbon nanotube/carbon fiber hierarchical composites. Carbon, 2014, 69: 239-246.
Washburn, E. W. Note on a method of determining the distribution of pore sizes in a porous material. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1921, 7(4): 115-116.
Yao, T., Zhang, X., Zhang, W., et al. Controlled attachment of polycarbonate nanoparticles on carbon fibers for increased resin impregnation and interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2021, 224: 109218.
Yeager, M., Hwang, W. R., Advani, S. G. Prediction of capillary pressure for resin flow between fibers. Composites Science and Technology, 2016, 126: 130-138.
Young, T. An essay on the cohesion of fluids. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 1805, (95): 65-87.
Yuan, Y., Lee, T. Contact angle and wetting properties, in Surface Science Techniques, edited by G. Bracco and B. Holst, Springer Science & Business Media, Italy, pp. 3- 34, 2013.
Zhang, L., Wang, J., Fuentes, C. A., et al. Wettability of carbon nanotube fibers. Carbon, 2017, 122: 128-140.
Zhang, J., Yang, W., Wang, P., et al. A pressure modulation approach to enhance mechanical properties of 3D-printed continuous fiber-reinforced composites. Composites Science and Technology, 2025, 270: 111277.
Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Yang, W., et al. Chirality manipulation of 3d printed gyroidal scaffolds towards mechanical properties enhancement. Additive Manufacturing, 2024, 96: 104551.
Zhou, Y., Guan, W., Zhao, C., et al. Spontaneous imbibition behavior in porous media with various hydraulic fracture propagations: A pore-scale perspective. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2023, 9(3): 185-197.
Zhou, Y., Guan, W., Zhao, C., et al. Numerical methods to simulate spontaneous imbibition in microscopic pore structures: A review. Capillarity, 2024, 11(1): 1-21.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.