Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Bubbles and voids

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic22074.aspx

By Gg_knives - 10/4/2016 9:28:22 AM

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a6elkl1n5dkkn17/Photo%2003-10-2016%2C%2014%2043%2028.png?dl=0

Hello there, I have produced several sheets of carbon using a press I have made out of two sheets of 10mm aluminium which I bolt together. My intention is to make thick slabs of carbon which I can then cut into small blocks and use them for making knife handles.

The trouble I am having is small air bubbles and voids I use 12k 650g 2/2 twirl carbon 8 layers thick. I compress this stack down to 4mm using a shim on each side of my aluminium plate for a thickness guide. At first I was worried about applying too much pressure as a lot of epoxy is already forced out the sides of my press but maybe more presure might push the air out??

The questions I have are:

Is there such thing as over compression will it make dry spots or weaker carbon?
Will a simple case of using a bristled roller instead of a finned roller solve this? 
Would using thinner 6k 200g 2/2 result in no bubbles? 
I'm using standard el2 epoxy is there an epoxy that will give better results? 
By Gg_knives - 10/10/2016 4:15:30 PM

Thanks warren I've ordered a bristled roller and will give it a go in the next few days. Hopefully will get some better results. Do you have any information on how much you can compress the stack of carbon and wheather i may be over compressing or under compressing?