Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Using shrink tube for prepreg consolidation

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic36403.aspx

By hadi1990 - 4/27/2020 9:12:48 PM

Hello,

I wanna make some tubes using prepreg. I tried using shrink tape but unfortunately i didn't manage to roll the shrink tape uniformly and there were some waves on the finished tube.
My question is , can i use heat shrink tube for consolidation? how about battery shrink tubes?
or what alternative solutions do you propose for consolidation?


 




Thank you!
By explorecomposites - 4/28/2020 6:46:42 PM

If you don't debulk your stack of prepreg as you wrap the layers (debulk with pull-tape on the zeros - like every 600-1000g of material) then there will be excess material because loose layers are going over loose layers and the circumference gets unreasonably big.  Then you tape-wrap (or shrink tape) and it gets all wavy because there isn't any place for the materiel to go.  Either that or your tape shrinks inconsistently or has uneven pressure.  Most tape wrapping of tubes is done with non-shrinking plastic tape pulled stretched.  Often this is vacuum bagged for curing - and also often autoclaved.  You could probably put your (any kind) heat shrink tape over a wrapped release film and not worry about it getting stuck.

Check out this tape:  https://www.flexiconpacific.com/composite-tubing-release-films/