Release issue ? Easy Lease and EL2


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L2man
L2man
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Hi,

This is a really cool forum! I've been reading with interest, and wondered if anyone has any thoughts on my issue.. 

I've been trying to improve the surface finish of my laminate. The laminate is 2 plys of 200gsm plain weave, backed up with 5 plys of 200gsm UD(Unifibre) (All Carbon).  I'm using a EL2 resin with a slow hardener, wetlaid with vacuum consolidation.

I am finding voids on the surface, and in one case some of the resin stuck to the tool(small bit between the weave if that makes sense) Part of the top layer of plain weave was also poorly consolidated, to the point I could pull it apart. Another laminate I made seems near perfect, and another is better but still very voidy., but all of them were laid up indentically (temp ~17/18deg, placed on vacuum around same time, left in tool for same time, achieved same vac)

Painting a layer on first helped to a degree, but I find the Resin beads off the released surface.

I thought it could be the release somehow worked its way off and into the laminate? I put it on as directed I believe

On top I had peel ply, perforated release and then breather.  I found a puddle of cured resin,  so I used two layers of perforated release to limit this. 
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Warren (Staff)
Warren (Staff)
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The sticking to the tool could be releasing the part too early.  It can be a bit strange but if you release too soon the resin can almost grip the tool which seems a bit counter intuitive.  The fact the resin is running off and fish-eyeing all over would suggest you have a good layer of Easy-Lease.


With wet-lay and mould release agents, you may be better off using a couple of layers of mould release wax on top of the Easy-Lease.  This is because the wax will slightly reduce the slipperyness of the surface meaning the resin will fish-eye less giving you a better ability to get the first layer of resin down evenly.  You might want to consider using a bristle roller to help consolidation.

I would vary the level of vacuum applied. Reduce it a little and see if that helps with the parts being wetted out.  Too much vacuum can almost certainly cause problems with the part being too dry especially if it is happening in the top layers as you mentioned.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant
L2man
L2man
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Hi Warren,

I did wonder about that! I'll put it down to demoulding too early (I hadn't used the slow hardener before)

I'll try the other bits, and certainly more roller use. Will let you know how I get on!

Thanks very much,

Andy
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