Hey, I'm trying to figure out the best way to make a carbon fiber air intake for a car using braided carbon fiber sleeve. I need to know what the best type of resin would be for it, it needs to be both durable and have a nice finish. It doesn't need to be extreme hear resistant. 

Hi Dustin,

I guess the resin choice depends on how you plan to make this intake. Assuming you'll just be 'wet laminating' it (not resin infusion or vacuum bagging for example) then, if the operating temperature (ambient temperature where the duct will be situated) is less than 70'C then I would suggest our EL2 Epoxy Laminating Resin. This is a high performance epoxy designed for standard laminating (brush or roller application).

If you think the operating temperature could exceed 70'C then I would recommend our Very High Temperature Epoxy Laminating Resin. This resin is perfectly fine for use at ambient temperatures but it is designed to withstand operating temperatures of up to 180'C. You use it in just the same way as the EL2 resin (brush or roller application) but it will need 'post-curing' after it's cured in an oven (this can be a domestic oven, providing the part will fit in and you give consideration to H&S implications) up to the operating temperature that you want from the finished part (so if you want it to take 150'C then you should 'bake' it up to 150'C in your oven beforehand, following a steady temperature ramp).

Both of the these resins are very tough, so tick the 'durable' box. As for the finish, this will depend on how you laminate the part. If you're using 'braid' then I guess you might be planning on a sacrificial mandrel? - This means the 'outside' of your part won't have a mould surface to make it flat and glossy which will make a 'nice finish' more complicated (depending on what you mean by 'nice').

I hope this helps.

Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

Hey Matt, thanks for all the information that is very helpful. The plan is to wet laminate the part since I do not have the knowledge or resources to make it any other way. If you have any suggestions that would be awesome; the part is aprroximatly 4 feet long, 3.5 inch diameter and has two 90 degree bends. As far as the operating temperature it should be under 70 but I will check to make sure, if it is higher and I use the high temp resin its not a big deal since I have a powder coating oven that I can bake the part in. 

Hi Dustin,

You're welcome. For general advice and ideas on this it might be worth chatting it through with other users on the general Talk Composites forum. If you do have any specific questions about our products then post them here in the support section and I'll be glad to assist.

Kind regards, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

Ive moved this over so it gets better coverage by the usual members.

I have looked into doing this before, the best idea I came up with was to make 2 moulds, to make the tube shape, then an inflatable bladder on the inside. 

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