+xim quite new to composites and ive been trying find some information on oven curing, ive made some carbon fiber bits with resin infusion (everything purchased from easy composites) and letting it cure for 24+hours.
im planning to purchase a curing oven.
"Many resin systems used in components or composite tooling do not achieve their full mechanical properties without an elevated temperature post-cure"
few questions:
1) Can someone explain what "full mechanical properties" consists of? is it durability, flexibility, strength? how much does it differ from room temp curing?
2) am i right in thinking, once the resin has infused through the bag, i clamp off the lines and put the whole thing into the curing oven?
3) does the curing oven reduce the overall curing time, and therefore making production faster/efficient ?
thanks
to quickly answer your questions:
1. The resin after a proper post-cure will be less likely to shrink after it's exposed to heat; causing a bad finish to come on the part. Will also be more resistant to higher temperatures.
If you cure at room temperature, say 20°C, and you unmould the part will look good, put it in the sun on a hot summer day and your part will become soft and might warp.
Post-curing will also make your part stronger and less flexible, also more durable.
2. You could directly after infusion put it in the oven and cure faster. But its better to let the resin cure at room temperature, so 24hours or preferebly more. Then put it for a day in the oven for full post-cure.
3. It will indeed make it possible to make in a faster way, But more importantly in a better way