On surface energy effects in composite impregnation and consolidation

Macroscopic capillary pressure and microscopic interparticle forces due to surface tension are examined. A general equation for the capillary pressure during impregnation is derived and subsequently specialized to particular processes. For fibre composites, the capillary pressure can be of the order of ±10⁴ Pa, the sign depending on the contact angle between solid and liquid. Next, the attractive and repulsive forces between particles connected by liquid droplets are analysed by two different model geometries. At contact angles between π/2 and π, an equilibrium particle separation distance is obtained in the absence of applied force. At lower contact angles, spontaneous impregnation can be achieved. The effect of capillary action on impregnation rate may be significant if applied pressures are small (e.g. filament winding) but negligible at applied pressures greater than ∼100 kPa (e.g. compression moulding). The topology and concentration of voids may, however, be greatly influenced by surface energies.