TITLE:
Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of VARTM Epoxy Composites
AUTHORS:
Abdallah Sulaiman Altobi, Yousuf Pasha Shaik
KEYWORDS:
VARTM, U.T.M., Molding, Tensile, Bending and Charpy Test
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.4,
April
24,
2026
ABSTRACT: Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) offers potential advantages for producing large-scale composite structures, including relatively low-cost processing and the ability to achieve high fiber volume fractions. However, for many aircraft applications, VARTM currently faces challenges in providing consistent repeatability and controlling process variability. Understanding and minimizing the sources of this variability is essential to reliably produce aircraft-quality parts. Models have been developed to capture the underlying process physics and have been validated through experiments. In this study, hybrid composites were manufactured using a combination of glass and flax fibers reinforced with an epoxy resin system containing a hardener and synthetic fillers. The VARTM process was employed to fabricate these composites, which provided a balance of high strength and stiffness from the glass fibers and good damping properties from the flax fibers. Specimens were prepared in both warp and weft directions according to DIN 521 standards and were tested for tensile, bending, and Charpy impact properties using a universal testing machine. The resulting mechanical properties of the hybrid composites are presented in tabular form.