Electrical resistance-based monitoring of CFRP thickness during vacuum assisted resin infusion

Abstract During vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI), the thickness of the fabric manufactured into carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced plastic was monitored using electrical resistance, which was correlated with the mechanical and electrical status of the CF with respect to resin infiltration. Furthermore, the electrical network within CF varied in terms of its volume and number of electrical contacts. These phenomena were monitored by installing a Cu tape on the mold. Thus, an in-situ qualitative monitoring system for composite manufacturing was developed utilizing the electrical resistance variations in the fabric. The proposed thickness-monitoring system for VARI can potentially minimize the cost, time, and labor in composite industries.