Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

New to infusion and need alittle help

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic16951.aspx

By dcfoster - 5/11/2015 3:19:46 AM

So Ive been trying my hand at vacuum infusion for a couple attempts now. I had issues with vacuum but figured what I was doing wrong with the molding process. That being said I have a 3cfm dual stage pump and it will only pull -29.5 to -29.75 psi (thats only connected to the catch pot) as well I dont think thats an issue my other problem is that I cant seem to get the resin to pull through the part before it fully cures. I know the resin is a 'low viscosity' but it will get about halfway through the part and then the resin will just crawl through with me ending up wasting quite a few ounces of resin because it will harden in the container. This part is an interior a-pillar part for an Acura so its a small part but it takes at least an hour to pull the resin through. Am I using too much hardener or should I go with a slow cure time? My concern is that ive pulled what resin I could get into the part through and so its thinner than it should be. To add, what is the resin to Carbon fiber ratio in ounces for vacuum infusion? 

Thanks.
By dcfoster - 5/20/2015 2:36:13 AM

Another reason Im glad I found this forum. Thank you again Hanaldo for your help. Thumbs up to you good sir! Smile

Hanaldo (20/05/2015)
While you technically COULD do it, you need to know what you are doing, you need to be able to look at the data sheet, find out what's in each resin/hardener, and then adjust the mix ratios to make it work. Not quite as simple as it sounds, given most manufacturers won't disclose the composition of their products because they are commercially sensitive. You also need to remember that these are very complex chemicals, and manufacturers have spent a lot of money on R&D to make them. 



If you fancy wasting a lot of resin, you could do some testing. Even if you find a mix that cures, you will have no idea what the properties of the cured resin are.