One of the advantages of the T_RTM process of polyamide 6 is that the low viscosity of the molten monomer, ɛ-caprolactam (CL), allows to infiltrate it through the fiber, in a process very similar to the RTM of the thermoset materials. In this process the APA6 polymerizes and crystallizes during the molding process, being these two factors the ones that will provide the final properties to the material.

Therefore, the knowledge, modeling and simulation of the effect of the process variables on these two phenomena would allow to optimize time/properties ratio in order to develop a strong and competitive manufacturing process.

In the RTM 4.0 project, the effect of the different process variables on the crystallization and polymerization of APA6 has been studied through of different characterization and monitoring techniques. This work presents the results of the study of the influence of the type of reinforcement of the polymerization of the material. The results obtained indicate that repetitive and homogeneous polymerization degrees are achieved regardless of the type of reinforcement used.