Yup I know this video... their airplane looks awesome. Anyway...

Yup, some people do their own prepregs. They store it in freezer.

It reminds me that Paul or Matt from EC staff said in a previous post they would not use their resin if it had freeze, at least not before doing a small test part. But maybe its not concerning catalyzed resin?

If EC resins dont work with freezing, then which resin could we use? Is it more a matter of resin itself or catalyst chemistry?

The guys from Algie Aircraft use their prepregs, and they do super cool stuff with it (I'm in love with the propeller). But what is their goal? 100% pinholes free panels or the less resin as possible (and well, pinholes can be filled before clearcoat, right? ). And, they use an autoclave, which helps greatly compared to ourselves, DIY'ers.

But then why do aeronautic and formula one people use commercial (but high end) prepregs? it would save them TONS of money doing it themsleves but they dont do it. So another question would be, for me at least : what is the major difference for a same resin, between a man making his prepreg and a machine doing prepregs? Is it just vanity of saying "i used high end prepreg and you cant afford it, lil guy" ?

So, I bet EC guys will have to come and give their input on that.

 



 


    A $1000 electronic device will always protect a 10 cents fuse

I did see that video before and he even claims that it's better that the bought stuff, so it's definitely worth a try.

On a side note, how cool is that plane that he makes? A full carbon, pressurised, LS1 powered plane.

Hi Zekewarg, I think I'll try your idea, thanks. I'm not sure if it'll be quite the same but it's worth a try.

I am worried about the prepreg curing before I can use it. I'll have to buy a freezer specifically for it as I'm not sure how safe it'll be next to the frozen peas and carrots. Mmmmm carbon flavoured epoxicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_tDQTgdsCg

Pre-preg is kept in very cold temperatures to not cure, what epoxy do they use?

Thanks Joe, that video makes me want to learn Italian, it was awesome.

The prepreg looks like it would work for what I'm doing. I might try to make my own like Zekewarg suggests just to test the theory.

Couldn´t you sort of make a budget pre-reg yourself somehow?

Hi Adam,

Prepregs are tacky and then can help you "arrange" your weave. Its also helpfull to avoid bridging before a vacuum and /or positive pressure is applied.

See this video you can see the "tackyness" of prepregs. Skip at 1:57, you can clearly see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1xy5u1DWnY&feature=related

Hope it helped.

 



 


    A $1000 electronic device will always protect a 10 cents fuse

Thanks again Warren. I might give it a go.

I've never used pre preg cloth before and I'm not even sure if it will help me. Have you used it? Does it hold together better and give a straighter weave?

you cant normally leave parts to cure for too long. 

Just remember that you dont want to pull things out the oven too early and ruin the part if its not properly cured when you demould it so err on the side of caution.

The reason you want an accurate thermometer is that many ovens the jump on the thermostat can be quite large eg from 60/70 degrees straight to 100 or 120 which is not ideal with the moulding systems the DIY user tends to have.