Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

resin infusion process using high-temperature curing epoxy resin

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic121.aspx

By goldentiger - 1/19/2012 5:18:45 PM

Dear all

1. I am thinking of using a high-temperature curing epoxy resin system to perform vacuum assisted resin infusion process. The curing temperature of my resin can be as high as 180 degree celsius. I am wondering if any of your products could be suitable for this requirement? I realize that the vacuum bag gum tape (high temp) that you have is suitable for use at temperature up to 160 degree celsius...

2. another small question is that the infusion mesh which helps the resin to flow through the mould, will the finished product(composite)'s surface finish  has the same texture as the that of infusion mesh as I need my composite to have as good surface finish as possible. 

Sorry that I am just the beginner thinking of using resin infusion process and was impressed by the video that you uploaded onto the Youtube Smile

Many thanks in advance! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Chris
By Matt (Staff) - 1/24/2012 5:04:10 PM

Hi Chris,

The epoxy resin I have is a two-component (resin/hardener) epoxy resin system, therefore its recommended curing procedure starts from 100c up to 180c.


To be clear, being a 'two-component epoxy resin system' doesn't give any indication that such a resin system would have a cure temperature of 100-180C. The system you're using might have that cure requirement (very unusual for a laminating resin) but I just want to point out for the benefit of others that a two component epoxy resin system is far more likely to be designed at ambient than at 100C+. Out of interest, what resin system is this that you're talking about?

From what you're saying, if this resin has a very high viscosity at room temperature then it might not wet out your reinforcement at room temperature properly, if you then put a perforated release film and breather on top of it and then vacuum bag it before cranking the temperature up it strikes me that there's a very good chance that when the viscosity drops the resin will flow very easily through a P3 perforated film and into your breather cloth, just as easily as it will wet out the laminate properly. If this happens you'll have a very dry laminate (not what you want).

Vacuum bagging is notoriously tricky to get right when it comes to the amount of bleed-off of the resin. You will need to control the vacuum pressure, the amount of perforation and how much breather you use.

What are your reasons for using your unusual choice of resin? - If I understand why you need to use such a resin system, maybe I'll be able to suggest how you can use it.

--Matt