Alternatives to silicone resin line connectors

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Alternatives to silicone resin line connectors

Alternatives to silicone resin line connectors

Author	Message
MarkMK	MarkMK posted 9 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 338, Visits: 2K	Is anybody using anything other than the type of silicone connectors that EC sell that they can recommend? I've found that, after half a dozen infusions or so, the excess resin begins sticking to them and they tend to start breaking apart. At around £4 each I wondered if there was a good alternative out there that might just have a bit more longevity? Thanks Mark
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ChrisR	ChrisR posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 363, Visits: 3K	They are a consumable. Mine lasted longer than 4 cycles though. Either you make your own or use a barbed t (single use), but it depends, if you are only getting 4 cycles for your £4 connector then they are about the same price as 4no 1/8th T bought as singles.
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LeeBrett	LeeBrett posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 11, Visits: 167	Hi Mark, The silicon connectors that I have been using are from easy composites and I have probably done getting on for 10 cycles with them and they still look perfect. I watched a video online of someone having the inlet and outlet pipe laying down level with the mould and introducing them into the bag where the bagging tape seals down to the mould then sealing the bag around it, this way completely eliminated needing the silicon connectors. Nothing good to say......then say nothing
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Hanaldo	Hanaldo posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 28K	This way ^ does make leaks somewhat more likely though, so I would recommend cutting off the hoses at the clamps just after infusion. Epoxy degrade silicone, so the silicone connectors are a consumable unless you're using vinyl ester or polyester. I have got some nylon connectors that are exactly the same as the silicone ones, but are machined from a solid bar of nylon. These will last virtually indefinitely, but require much much more effort to remove the resin. I barely use these anymore, I now have a good stock of the silicone ones as they are just much easier to reclaim.
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ajb100	ajb100 posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 346, Visits: 4.4K	I run the hose in through the gum tape that holds the bag down. Have the spiral wrap cut in half and put the ends into the end of the tube. Depending on complexity, masking tape to hold them in or a small patch of breather to stop the end of the hose damaging the bag. If you wrap gum tape around the hose tick that to the mound flange and then run the bag tape over the top, you end up with a big blob of gum tape you just push around and it seals up. I found this method after struggling with leaks at the connectors though I have found a way to stop that as well now. The connectors should be lasting longer than 4 cycles
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Matthieu Libeert	Matthieu Libeert posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 955, Visits: 3.4K	I mostly run the tube in without a connector, except on complex parts with an inlet not being on the flange I use the silicone connectors...did more than 20 infusions with the first...Just rub them in with some Chemical release agent Matthieu Libeert Founder MAT2 Composites X Sports website: www.mat2composites.com
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Dravis	Dravis posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 592, Visits: 1.9K	I use the EC silicone connectors most of the time, and I have made some nylon "connector plugs" that fit in the silicone and at the other end they fit the cheap PVC hose .. A couple of times the nylon connector plugs got blocked by resin, but then I just check them in the lathe an drill out the resin .. My First set of EC Silicone connectors lasted more than "15 bag-ups" I consider that good value .. On smaller moulds (I do a lot of small stuff) I often just run the pvc hose in through the gum tape at one end .. With a piece of spiral inside .. Never had a sealing problem with that method. "Sapere Aude"... Dare to KNOW! The written word is the only truly efficient vehicle for transmitting a complex concept from mind to mind... 103% of all people do not understand statistics... Do not adjust our mind, theres a fault in reality :-)
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