Axial and normal (transverse) impregnation of fiber bundles are investigated. A slow curing epoxy system is used with the impregnation being driven solely by capillary forces. Axial impregnation rates are found to be faster than expected based on Lucas-Washburn type capillary wicking. For normal mode impregnation, geometric limitations and the dependency of contact angles upon wetting speed give rise to rates which are an order of magnitude slower than axial ...
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