Hi All

I've used the EC 3mm foam core in a couple of flat panels I've made. I've infused the first couple of layers of fabric, then added the core and an additional two layers of fabric

I wet-out the cured peel-ply side of the panel with hand lay-up resin first, added the foam core and then wet laid the remaining layers on top. The laminate was then vacuum bagged and left to cure

Finish was great, but when trimming-up the finished part I did find that the trimmed edges were a little prone to coming away from the core. Nothing too major, but a little worried that I might see serious de-lamination further down the line

Does the resin that backs the foam core really need thickening (silica?) to a more adhesive paste or should it bond just fine using the usual hand lay-up epoxy?

Cheers

Thickening will help to ensure the resin is pressed into the open cells on the foam thus helping the mechanical grip.  You can also achieve this by brushing the wet epoxy onto the foam in a thin layer as well as the sheet.  That way the open cells are already wetted out.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant