Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is a popular manufacturing technique in composite production, involving the infusion of resin into dry fiber reinforcements within a closed mold. This process offers precise control over resin distribution, resulting in high-quality, void-free composite parts. RTM allows for the creation of complex shapes and intricate designs while maintaining consistent mechanical properties.

Plant tour: Aernnova Composites, Toledo and Illescas, Spain
ATL/AFP

Plant tour: Aernnova Composites, Toledo and Illescas, Spain

RTM and ATL/AFP high-rate production sites feature this composites and engineering leader’s continued push for excellence and innovation for future airframes.

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Zone 5 CLEAVER
Airtech

Latest RTM Articles

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RTM

Hybrid composite workcell supports thermosets, thermoplastics

CAMX 2024: Radius Engineering showcases its Hybrid Composite Workcell with the versatility to support a range of closed-mold processes monitored by its Insights control system.

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RTM

Molding technologies, integrated automation deliver streamlined production

CAMX 2024: Macrodyne engineers composites and rubber hydraulic presses for domestic and international customers, capable of handling large-scale production demands to more intricate projects.

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Fabrics/Preforms

Designing an infused, two-piece composite baseball bat

With its Icon BBCOR bat, Rawlings leveraged its experience in braided fabrics and RTM to create an optimized, higher-performance two-piece design.

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RTM

From the CW Archives: The life and death of the BMW i3

A look back at the ambitious and impressive composites production system BMW developed for production of the all-electric i3 EV.

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Trends

IMDEA introduces digital twin for real-time analysis of composite materials production

Newly designed digital twin by IMDEA and Technical University of Madrid researchers enables manufacturers to see inside composite materials as they are being produced, facilitating early detection of faults.

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Defense

Ballistic protection panels manufacturer relies on automation for high throughput, efficiency

Maine-based CW Top Shops honoree Compotech Inc. recently doubled its manufacturing space and team to produce modular composite panels for defense applications via light resin transfer molding (LRTM).

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Knowledge Centers

Sensors for Composite Processing
Sensors for Composite Processing

Discover the types of sensors being used in composites, the physics on which they�re based, their installation, promised benefits and challenges, as well as the potential they offer for even further developments in smart structures.

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CW Tech Days: Sustainability
CW Tech Days: Sustainability

This CW Tech Days event will explore the technologies, materials, and strategies that can help composites manufacturers become more sustainable.

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Closed Molding
Closed Molding

Closed mold processes offer many advantages over open molding. This knowledge center details the basics of closed mold methods and the products and tools essential to producing a part correctly.

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Coast-Line Intl
CAMX 2024
MITO® Material Solutions
Composites product design
Airtech International Inc.

Latest RTM News And Updates

Aerospace

Bally Ribbons 3DMAT quartz composite is adopted for future NASA space missions

Named the NASA Government Invention of the Year, the 3D orthogonally woven materials supports structural and thermal performance needs for Orion mission and more.

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RTM

Live demonstrations present closed molding advancements

CAMX 2023: The Composites One and Closed Mold Alliance demo zone returns with short but engaging exhibitions featuring vacuum infusion, reusable bag molding, light RTM and other technologies through the show.

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CAMX

Reusable vacuum bagging, vacuum sealing solution

CAMX 2023: SWORL is highlighting its spray-fabricated reusable vacuum bags (membranes, foils) and a new sealing product for more sustainable, out-of-autoclave composites processing.

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CAMX

FST-rated thermoset resin with rapid, tunable cure is designed for infusion

CAMX 2023: The nonhalogenated Harp Rapid resin system presented by Trimer Technologies achieves a low-temperature, tunable cure while attaining high mechanical properties, demonstrating its effectiveness in aerospace applications.

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RTM

Hexcel launches novel RTM resin, rapid-cure prepreg for aerospace

HexPly M51 prepreg and HiFlow HF610F-2 resin add to Hexcel’s delivery of faster cure cycles and thus higher production build rates.

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Aerospace

Airbus selects Airborne to supply automated ply placement system

The pick-and-place system with software-driven automated will be the first in Airbus facilities, enabling highly efficient and flexible dry fiber preform manufacture for A350 structures.

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Release agents and process chemical specialties
HEATCON Composite Systems
Carbon Fiber 2024
CompositesWorld
Airtech International Inc.

Featured Posts

Fabrics/Preforms

RTM, dry braided fabric enable faster, cost-effective manufacture for hydrokinetic turbine components

Switching from prepreg to RTM led to significant time and cost savings for the manufacture of fiberglass struts and complex carbon fiber composite foils that power ORPC’s RivGen systems.

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Automotive

From the CW Archives: Fast-cure epoxies for automotive fabrication

Sara Black’s 2015 report on the development of snap-cure epoxies for automotive manufacturing still resonates today. 

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Work In Progress

Modular, robotic cells enable high-rate RTM using any material format

Airborne’s automated ply placement systems at Airbus, GKN Aerospace and Teijin Automotive Technologies aim to maximize flexibility and intelligent automation.

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Aerospace

Plant tour: Spirit AeroSystems, Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K.

Purpose-built facility employs resin transfer infusion (RTI) and assembly technology to manufacture today’s composite A220 wings, and prepares for future new programs and production ramp-ups.

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Aerospace

Plant tour: Albany Engineered Composites, Rochester, N.H., U.S.

Efficient, high-quality, well-controlled composites manufacturing at volume is the mantra for this 3D weaving specialist.

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Wind/Energy

Novel dry tape for liquid molded composites

MTorres seeks to enable next-gen aircraft and open new markets for composites with low-cost, high-permeability tapes and versatile, high-speed production lines.

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CompositesWorld
NewStar Adhesives - Nautical Adhesives
Advert for lightweight carrier veils used in aero
Airtech
Release agents and process chemical specialties

FAQ: RTM

What is RTM?

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is a popular manufacturing technique in composite production, involving the infusion of resin into dry fiber reinforcements within a closed mold.

What does RTM stand for?

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM).

What is Light RTM?

Light Resin Transfer Molding, or Light RTM, is a process by which composite products are manufactured using a closed mold system. The closed mold consists of an “A” side mold (base mold) and a semi-rigid “B” side mold (counter mold) that is sealed to the “A” side mold using vacuum pressure. Resin is drawn into the resulting cavity under vacuum.

The resin infusion may be assisted by a resin injection pump, which will accelerate the infusion process. Once an “A” side mold is cured, the “B” side mold is removed and the part is demolded from the “A” side mold.

Source: Light RTM

Carbon Fiber 2024