QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL METHODS FOR RESIN INFUSION

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL METHODS FOR RESIN INFUSION

By Jonathan E. Kenerson

Thesis Co-Advisors: Dr. Robert F. Lindyberg, P.E. and Dr. Habib J. Dagher, P.E.

A Lay Abstract of the Thesis Presented

in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Degree of Master of Science

(in Civil Engineering)

August, 2010

Resin infusion is a method of manufacturing composite products such as wind blades, boat hulls, and hockey sticks which has gained popularity among manufacturers for a number of quality, environmental and health safety reasons.  With resin infusion increasing as a method of large composite part fabrication there is a need for an industry standard in regards to quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) methods.  The primary aim of this research was to aid composite manufacturers by uncovering the major quality issues in resin infusion and identifying appropriate QA/QC practices to address these issues.  Seven composite manufacturers from Maine were selected to participate in the industry investigation for the purpose of determining the actual level of benchmark QA/QC practice implementation.  Findings suggest that manufacturers with high levels of customer quality requirements conform more closely to the QA/QC best practices than manufacturers with lower levels of customer quality requirements.  Based on the research three levels of QA/QC best practice implementation are presented with recommendations for manufacturers of different demographic characteristics.