unimould timing


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svedberg
svedberg
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Hi!

We're using the unimould system for the first time, and just wanted to get the timing explained once and for all.

After the gelcoat has been applied, we are going to let it sit for approximately 20 hrs before we continue with the  coupling coat layer. Is this OK?



How many hrs would you recommend between the coupling coat and the polyester reinforcement?

Temperature will be around 18-20 dgrs C.

Cheers/

Lasse Svedberg

Racing motorcycles!
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Joe
Joe
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Hi, Lasse.

Here is the working sequence I had with one of my molds, made with Unimold:

01). Gelcoat applied on the plug, 2% Catalyst.

02). Gelcoat tacky after 100 minutes.

03). Two coats of 150g/sqm CSM with coupling coat, Catalyst 2%.

04). Coupling coat tacky after 45 minutes.

05). Tooling resin applied at 1.75% catalyst, with 5 layers of 450g/sqm CSM.

06). Leave it alone.

07). Clean tools.

08). Have a beer.

Total thickness of the mold is 6 mm, area of the mold about 0.45m², room temp was about 19.5°C.

I bring your attention on the fact that EC suggests 1.25% catalyst maximum for the tooling resin. Use more than 1.25% at your own risks.

But in a general point of view, it is a good idea to lower catalyst ratio for the tooling resin, and apply AT LEAST 4 layers (5 recommended) of CSM so all the layers will reach enough temperature to cure correctly.

Hope it helps.

 



 


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andygtt
andygtt
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I recently discovered that even though I have had good mould results thus far, I have been doing it slightly wrong Sad

Firstly I've been using 3% catalyst for every layer... and secondly I have been applying the coupling layer too early, I left it 2-3hrs for the gel coat to go tacky then and you are supposed to leave it till its fully cured ie 5hrs plus.
we suspect I have been getting away with applying the coupling coat too early because I have been going in catalyst heavy, and it has generally been cold when I have made the moulds. If you go too early on the coupling coat then the styrenes in the gel apparently can react and wrinkle.

Think I've been lucky to get away without it happening so far, but I have amended my technique and application as appropriate Smile
ajb100
ajb100
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Even a little bit of heat can speed things along nicely. My last mould was .5m x .5m and got it done in 4 hours by catalysing at 1.5-2% and once applied, heating to 40'c until ready for the next layer.

For the reinforcement, that was heated until the resin exothermed and then left over night and was ready to use in the morning.

Not sure if that's all recommended but it works perfectly for me
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