Numerical and experimental study on the gravitation and surface tension effects on flow injection in center-gated disks

Flow injection in center-gated disks is numerically and experimentally studied in this paper for possible applications in the manufacturing of lightweight and high performance composite materials in space. A comprehensive three-dimensional model, which combines the Galerkin finite element method with a predictor/corrector scheme, is employed to determine the transient flow field. The effects of gravitation and surface tension on the development of flow front shape, velocity field pressure distribution, and advancement of the flow front are examined for a wide range of the governing parameters (namely, the capillary and Bonds numbers). It has been found that surface tension tends to hold the flow front in symmetric shape between disks while gravitation is to distort it. The balance of these two forces has significant effects on the front shape, front tip traveling speed and required injection pressure. Good agreement is found between the prediction and experimental measurements concerning the development of flow front shape and advancement of the flow front. The present results provide useful information in the design of resin transfer molding process in space.