Processing of Metal Matrix Composites: Bidimensional Numerical Model of the Infiltration of Fibrous Preform by a Pure Metal

The infiltration process is one of the techniques employed to work out polymer matrix composites (PMC) or metal matrix composites (MMC) and with continuous reinforcement. It consists in injecting the liquid (resin or metal) through a fibrous reinforcement placed in a mould. In the case of the MMC, the fibres and the mould are initially preheated at temperatures lower than the temperature of metal solidification. These thermal conditions induce phenomena of phase change of metal when the metal is in contact with the fibres. These phenomena disturb the flow of metal through the fibrous network. In order to follow the displacement of metal in the preform and take into account of the phase change, a two-dimensional numerical model based on a finite volume formulation was developed, on a very simple geometry.