Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Infusion tooling cause surface issues?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic34376.aspx

By mscomposites - 12/15/2019 3:38:15 AM

I’m curious if the quality of a tools surface can cause issues on the parts surface or cause resin flowing issues. For our tool we’re using 10lb urethane foam that’s been mulled and then poly primer sealed and surface to 320g. Then release applied and then infused a part. This tool surface is in no way close to a gel coated polished out tool. Curious if this type of surface would cause any issues to the parts surface or the way resin does across the surface. I know the part will come out more a matte finish, it i’m curious if anyone knows if this type of tool surface is not ideal and no matter what is done you will never be able to get a flawless part out of it.
By Hanaldo - 12/16/2019 5:26:48 AM

Surface voids can be caused by so many things that it is almost impossible to diagnose over the internet. That air in the resin virtually never presents a problem unless something else goes wrong to compound it, eg. bridging. Degassing really should not be necessary at all, and can cause more issues than it solves - I would drop that. Restricting the resin inlet is only sometimes necessary and again often causes it's own problems - hard to know whether you should be doing it without seeing the component you are making and knowing your resin viscosity. Surface finish of the mould not an issue.

Are you able to post photos of the problem components, the mould, and possibly even a video of the infusion? Most problems can be sorted if we can see those things and spot issues. Can also help to know full layup schedule, as different types of reinforcement can cause trouble or If you have localised reinforcement in the layup this can also be tricky?

By mscomposites - 12/16/2019 5:52:36 AM

I will try to get you photos possibly a video of one of our infusions we do. Stay tuned. Thanks Hanaldo