Hey guys,

as far as I did tests with flaxfiber you'll need "some" layers... its indeed similar to fiberglass and a lot will depend on the resin you use (better use epoxy than polyester for stifness)

Hmm, bit more than I was hoping for. I might use some strips of carbon in the middle of the layup then, the Biotex works out more expensive to get over here than my carbon fibre so need to use it efficiently. I could use some core, but I don't want the print-through. It's going to be a purely cosmetic piece, the natural appearance is what I'm going for. Soric is far too visible through the fabric and would ruin the appearance, and the Divinycell I've got is 10mm so too thick. 

As you say Soric negatively effects the natural colour of the flax. I have tried adding dye to the resin, this helps but still not great. I have just done some more tests using biaxial glass in the lay-up, results are a much stiffer sheet and because the biaxial cures almost transparent it doesn't adversely effect the natural colour of the flax. You still really need double the number of layers over carbon though.

Warren

Carbon Copies Ltd

Thanks Warren. Do you think if I used a layer, or rather strategically placed strips of carbon fibre in the middle of the layup that it would affect the appearance of the flax? So say I did 2 layers flax, strips of carbon fibre, then another 2 layers flax? I can also put some fibreglass in the middle to bulk it out a bit, but I risk it becoming too expensive for what it is.

Adding carbon to the centre of a laminate won't do much for stiffness as it is the neutral layer at the centre.

Maybe 2 x jute at each skin and just fglass to make up the core thickness with better strength?

I have never tried the stuff though??