Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

XC 110 Curing cycle with heavy aluminium mould

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic32862.aspx

By joei.pavlas - 5/16/2019 10:49:44 AM

Hi,
I have a question about a curing cycle for XC110. In the processing guide there are recommended controlled ramp-rate curing cycles, even extended soak cycle for heavier moulds. As I have also heavy aluminium mould, I will use extended cycle. Reaching temperatures is not problem. My problem is to keep the ramp-rate with my heavy alu mould. Is it a big problem when the temperature inside the mould has a slower ramp-rate than recommended if I keep the soak-/curing time the same? So, reaching 70°C will take instead of 50min for example 1,5h, than 6 hours soak...and the same for reaching 120°C...2 hours instead of 25min and then 1 hour curing.
Thanks for aswers!
By Warren (Staff) - 5/21/2019 9:38:34 AM

With the time it is taking to heat up you could easily literally skip the ramp rate as the natural lag of your billet tool would mean it takes time to heat up anyway creating its own internal ramp rate.