Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Bubbles rising back into resin cup

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic3012.aspx

By prairiecustomcomposites - 10/7/2012 12:54:17 AM

Hey everyone,

I have been infusing parts using a two mould method to reproduce a curved piece with smooth surfaces on both sides. Unfortunately, during my infusion, once the epoxy reaches the vacuum line side and it starts spurting bubbles into the catch pot (see the middle-right circle), small bubbles started to climb back up the resin line, which is connected to the resin feed pot (see bottom circle). I can't seem to get it to stop. During my first infusion of this part it did not have any adverse effects, but it still concerns me that air is:

a) apparently not all the air is moving towards the flow of vacuum - ie. towards the vacuum pump
b) there shouldn't be bubbles in there regardless. The only bubbles I could think of are ones that get mixed in with the epoxy and do not have a chance to off-gas out of the mixture before they are sucked into the part. I realized that a degassing chamber would help fix this, so I am going to build one.



And yes I just realized that you can't read the print so ignore that part of the picture haha.

Anyways, if anyone else has experience this, or knows what it may be, that would be a big help. It is unfortunate that it is a closed mould, as I cannot see the details of where these bubbles are coming from. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Mike-
By Leon - 12/5/2012 9:18:26 AM

Hi..

Looking on your project, it was soo impresive. What you've done adapted from closed mould system generaly applied by RTM (resin transfer moulding),  yes for a moment  it's look simple but when I look inside it turns "The devil is always on the detail". first in closed mould system the resin flow under pressure from RTM infuser, its look like a pump push inject the resin, second the mould flanges are sealed with some kind like a sillicon ruber as a containment sealer, to keep the resin stay on the moud. And third is vacum assist are necessary to help  sealed the mould and maintaining low pressure then resin could be easisly spread all the area and focus on vacum line catchpot point. fourth, many manufacture using close mould made the upper moulding with transparant form so they can monitoring the resin flow. Gloss both side on the part would be nice 

Have a luck

Leon