Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Using epoxy + fibre glass to make mould for pre preg?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic31088.aspx

By JamesC - 11/23/2018 9:25:57 AM

Hi guys
Had a bit of a search + can't really find a yes or not
In light of unimould not being great for xpreg range my next mould I'll be making in epoxy to allow me to use the xpreg, building an oven at the moment which will have all the progressive temperature rise etc

My question is If I was to use epoxy with bidder bound Matt to make my mould, wet lay up then vac bagged to remove excess + oven cured, would they be suitable for xpreg or Not?
Purely to keep the mould costs down

Many thanks
James
By JamesC - 11/30/2018 3:36:45 PM

Hanaldo - 11/23/2018 10:56:44 AM
I assume you mean 'powder' bound mat? If so, then yes, this combined with a high temperature epoxy laminating resin would be perfect. There's really no need to vacuum bag a mould though - you shouldn't be worried about the weight of the mould. Vacuum bagging moulds adds a whole new level of complications and really doesn't improve the final product at all, so just go with wet-lay for the moulds.
Yes that was meant to say powder bound, wasn't too fussed about the mould weight just wanted a good solid mould but yes be fine without bagging + as you say will be easier, thanks 😀

Warren (Staff) - 11/26/2018 9:39:45 AM
The most important thing to remember is use an epoxy gelcoat and resin that is suitable for the high temperature cures and also ensure you have done the full postcure cycle before using the moulds.
Yes I was intending on the EG160 + EL160, the oven I'm doing will be controlled using an arduino chip, so have a mate going through the coding of that to get it all working to have have all the ramp + soak features

Llooking at the El160 TDS the initial cure is 65 degrees before removing the plug + then the post cure  cycle begins, in light of this is there likely to be any issues using the 3mm polypropylene board for split flanges as the HDT is 70 degrees?

Thanks