Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Trouble with perfect finish

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic20576.aspx

By Davidpetty1988 - 2/20/2016 8:19:45 PM

Just having a little trouble perfecting my resin infusion only my second attempt. can anyone help I think its degassing related but not 100% I have tiny gaps in the resin around the fibres only on the mould finish side none on the peel ply side. I assume this is air. Any ideas?? 
http://www.talkcomposites.com/Uploads/Images/49bda8d3-032c-4978-bb6f-7698.jpg
http://www.talkcomposites.com/Uploads/Images/42290ca4-912a-4c8b-84d2-c733.jpg
Dave
By Matt (Staff) - 2/26/2016 8:22:45 PM

Hi David,

There can be a number of causes of pin-holes like this but I'd say that 99% of the time it can be prevented by allowing the laminate to be a little more resin-rich. When a pin-hole free finish is a priority (as opposed to ultimate lightness being the #1 priority) then follow this sequence for pin-hole free perfection:

1. Allow a good few seconds of 'flushing' resin through the laminate when the laminate is fully infused and resin is making its way down the resin line (unless you have a peel-ply resin break in place, in which case let the resin crawl through that for a minute or so).

2. Clamp off the vacuum line.

3. Wait a little while (vague I know but it depends on the size of what you're infusing: small parts, 10-20 secs, large parts, up to a minute or two).

4. Clamp off the resin line.

This sequence goes against logic slightly for an infusion but what it does is allow a little extra resin into the laminate, probably decreasing the fibre fraction from 60:40 to maybe 58:42. This subtle amount of surplus resin does wonders for the pin holes you're experiencing and is these steps are pretty-much standard for the professional infusion guys we supply.

I hope this helps; let us all know if it does!

Matt