Hi, I plan to make a part that is approx 2m long and 30cm high.
I'll be using 2 moulds to create a class A finish on both sides.
The stack will consist of 200gsm CF / Soric / Soric / 200gsm CF. I've used 2 layers of soric as i understand one side is smooth to prevent print through of the hex shapes of the soric......or i have i got that wrong?
Would i need multiple resin inlet and vac lines to infuse over a 2m distance?

Cheers
Rob

Hi Rob,

RTM Light eh!

The Soric is marginally A-symetrical but we've not seen it make a huge difference which way up it goes. In your case you can put the smoother side 'out' in both cases (i.e. lay the Soric back-to-back) which I think is what you're planning or you could just run with a single layer because, like I've said, I don't don't see any real difference between the top and the bottom face in terms of print-through. More significant would be if you had a couple of layers of reinforcement instead of just 1.

Would i need multiple resin inlet and vac lines to infuse over a 2m distance?

Probably not. You don't mention the full dimensions (like the width) or whether you plan to infuse along the longest or shortest distances but either way unless it's very wide you won't need multiple resin feeds. I think 3 vacuum take offs (one at each far corner and one down the far end in the middle between the other two). This way you don't have to try to predict which will be the last place the resin will get to and instead you can just clamp off any line that the resin reaches (make sure you have extra clamps if you do this otherwise it's pointless).

I hope this helps and look forward to hearing how you get on.

By the way, mix the resin in batches, not all at once!

All the best, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

Hi Matt, The part is 2m long and 30cm wide....or high depending on which way its laying. I was planning on infusing along the 2m length to cut down on the amount of vac consumables but that maybe a tad risky if the resin gels before it reaches the other side so could be false economy.
I'll have to build a flange on to one of the moulds either way i go about it mount the inlets and outlets
Would 2 layers of CF be more appropriate?

Hi Rob,

Well, 2 layers of carbon either side fo the Soric will certainly ensure that you don't see any Soric through the gaps in the weave on the first layer of carbon, will certainly block any print from the Soric and it will add considerably more strength to the part so it's worth considering. Whether you need this extra strength would depend on the actual shape of the part and what work it will be doing.

I would strongly suggest making a test laminate up of both of these and infusing in the way that you've planned (a matched tool - so maybe infuse the test panel between 2 sheets of glass) to see how they behave. You can also time the infusion to get a good idea of how long you'll need for the full sized panel.

All the best, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales