By gully - 2/21/2018 6:47:20 AM
Hi I need advice. I am going to build a camper using composite panels. The panels will be constructed using a 2inch foam core (XPS) with 1.8mm GRP fiberglass skins on each side. The fiberglass skin is a laminate that is manufactured and then shipped to me. So its not a wet layup, I think thats what its called. Sorry am new to all this. The skin or sheeting comes in a large roll, its gel coated (on only one side I believe)
I am considering an Adtech epoxy product to adhere the sheeting to the XPS foam sheet. Do you think with this type of layup, using a laminate sheet, instead of using fiberglass cloth and resin (wet layup), should I vacuum bag these panels? Will it give me the best lamination? Could i just use bricks or some kind of weight on top of the panel and get just as good results? I don't know much about vac bagging. I would have to buy the supplies and work it out. If anyone has experience with this, or if you know of some other threads or forums. I need any help I can get to feel confident that my panels will hold and not delaminate on me.
Also, I have read about various procedures to scuff up the foam to get better adhesion. Any thoughts?
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By john_mellor - 3/3/2018 3:57:13 AM
Well... this is my first post so take it with a grain of salt. I do have a bit of experience in surfboard making and other composite construction. I have heard of many examples of XPS foam having bonding difficulties with epoxies and laminates bubbling or delaminating after exposure to heat. As you probably know, polyester resin tends to melt styrene foams so epoxy or urethane resins are about your only choices. I do know of people who have really 'roughed up' the surfaces of XPS foam to allow the resin to key in to the surface. I have used a tool as simple as pounding nails through a slat of wood and whacking the foam with the nails to create holes in the surface. Some surfboard manufacturers are referring to something similar to this as "3-D glassing." If you have a source, you might look in to urethane sheet foam. Another option might be PVC foam like Divinycell.
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