Abstract
This work presents results obtained using a computer model of the filling and curing stages in reaction injection moulding (RIM), the main emphasis being given to the rheology and reaction kinetics. Three types of viscosity relation and four types of reaction kinetics are included so that the computer code can be applied to a wide range of RIM materials. Comparisons of computational results with experimental ones are made for a polyurethane system. A sensitivity analysis, mainly on reaction kinetics, is performed for three types of chemical system. The variables which govern the RIM process are combined in three main dimensionless groups, namely the Reynolds, Graetz and Damkohler numbers. The effect of changes in each of these numbers on the gelling time, reaction time and maximum temperature is studied.