Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Heating blankets to post cure

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic21104.aspx

By 67redrocket - 4/18/2016 8:36:09 PM

I looking for post cure options. I want to make parts as large as a car hood, but I dont want to build a big oven. 

I have looked at these silicon heat blankets on ebay: 
http://stores.ebay.com/Flexible-Heaters/Silicone-Heater-Blankets-/_i.html?_fsub=10754115018&_sid=814680028&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/m/m5wq1sFhdbmdMXStPd9Nh2g/140.jpg


They are probably way to powerful so I may have to find some one that is not that powerfull per sqare cm. 

Iam thinking i can put some of these under the mold and wrap the mold with the heating elements with wool blankets. Then meassuring the temperature and control the heating to get the right temperature. Maybe using a PID or a temperature switch. 

Any thoughts?
By Dravis - 4/21/2016 10:22:38 AM

If you can make do with 99 deg. C.. why not mould in silicone hose .. then run hot water through the mould ..

No fire-danger -- the temperature can be quite precisely controlled  (Large tank of water, high capacity water pump, PID controlled heating of the water)

On alu-moulds, use heated oil .. 

I just use polythene bags of hot water  and old fleece blankets for insulation -- Not to post cure but to speed up the primary cure ..  Could be used for post-cure as well --