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With 300%+ elongation for Bagging Film, are pleats needed for CF parts with modest (limited) depth?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic32048.aspx

By HansenJC - 2/17/2019 3:34:35 AM

I read published specs for bagging film indicating 300% to 450% elongation. When I study the tutorial videos on resin infusion, I see everyone using pleats. Is it really necessary to add pleats when the film will very likely stretch as much or more than the depth of the female cavity in the mold (mould)?   I can easily imagine that a car bonnet would not require any more than 150% elongation. Could that be done without pleats?
By HansenJC - 2/18/2019 1:17:11 PM

oekmont - 2/17/2019 7:38:20 PM
My best tip: use the tacky tape on the bagging film and leave the separation film on it for now. Than attach it to the mould, starting with the edges. Only remove the separation film where you are working. put down the middle of each edge. Maybe shift it a little, if the part isn't symmetrical and you need more film on one side. Than put down the middle of each remaining section. Repeat this, till you are down to about one point every 10cm. Remove the separation film from each remaining section separately, and make a pleat out of the section. This will happen automatically, so no needs to plan ahead, or problems with getting the tape into tiny pleats. Far easier than attaching the tacky tape to the mould imho.



Thank you, your explanation was helpful.