Axial impregnation of a fiber bundle. Part 2: Theoretical analysis

This paper considers the numerical simulation of the axial capillary infiltration of an aligned fiber bed and the assessment of the input permeability and capillary pressure data by validating the simulation results with experimental data from Part 1 (1) of this study. Theoretical predictions of capillary pressure are close to the capillary pressure value determined from a long-term experiment and are used as input data in the infiltration simulations. The Carman-Kozeny equation is recommended for the prediction of permeability and the validation of the numerical simulations with experimental data for two infiltrating liquids, silicone oil and epoxy, yields recommended values for the empirical Kozeny constant for different ranges of fiber volume fraction.