Infusion Ripple Effect - I am stumped!


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Matt Stevs
Matt Stevs
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Hi all,

I figured that I have done enough troubleshooting that I will post up on here and see if anyone can clue in. I am having a strange issue when I infuse flat sheet. I have attached some photos so you can take a look. Basically, once the sheet is cured, there is a faint holographic 'ripple' in the carbon. It almost looks like tiger stripes.

Initially I thought it was a defect in the reinforcement, but I examined it very closely before infusing and it was not present. Then I thought maybe it was the placement of my infusion spiral, but again, with different orientations it did not change. Finally I thought I had it solved, I deduced that it was the vacuum pump causing 'waves' from the internal mechanisms and variation in vacuum strength during the motor cycles. So, I tried went from a 2 stage rotary vane vacuum pump, to a dry Gast diaphragm pump, and low and behold...The rippling was STILL there.

So , needless to say, I am completely stumped.



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Lester Populaire
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Matt Stevs - 5/10/2019 3:47:06 PM
Hi all,

I figured that I have done enough troubleshooting that I will post up on here and see if anyone can clue in. I am having a strange issue when I infuse flat sheet. I have attached some photos so you can take a look. Basically, once the sheet is cured, there is a faint holographic 'ripple' in the carbon. It almost looks like tiger stripes.

Initially I thought it was a defect in the reinforcement, but I examined it very closely before infusing and it was not present. Then I thought maybe it was the placement of my infusion spiral, but again, with different orientations it did not change. Finally I thought I had it solved, I deduced that it was the vacuum pump causing 'waves' from the internal mechanisms and variation in vacuum strength during the motor cycles. So, I tried went from a 2 stage rotary vane vacuum pump, to a dry Gast diaphragm pump, and low and behold...The rippling was STILL there.

So , needless to say, I am completely stumped.



I guess this is because the vacuum flattens the fabric so you have less wavyness in the out of plane direction which might result in more wavyness in plane.
Maybe try to stretch the fabric with a little tape before pulling a vacuum?

Matt Stevs
Matt Stevs
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Posts: 6, Visits: 140
Lester Populaire - 5/10/2019 5:50:43 PM
Matt Stevs - 5/10/2019 3:47:06 PM
Hi all,

I figured that I have done enough troubleshooting that I will post up on here and see if anyone can clue in. I am having a strange issue when I infuse flat sheet. I have attached some photos so you can take a look. Basically, once the sheet is cured, there is a faint holographic 'ripple' in the carbon. It almost looks like tiger stripes.

Initially I thought it was a defect in the reinforcement, but I examined it very closely before infusing and it was not present. Then I thought maybe it was the placement of my infusion spiral, but again, with different orientations it did not change. Finally I thought I had it solved, I deduced that it was the vacuum pump causing 'waves' from the internal mechanisms and variation in vacuum strength during the motor cycles. So, I tried went from a 2 stage rotary vane vacuum pump, to a dry Gast diaphragm pump, and low and behold...The rippling was STILL there.

So , needless to say, I am completely stumped.



I guess this is because the vacuum flattens the fabric so you have less wavyness in the out of plane direction which might result in more wavyness in plane.
Maybe try to stretch the fabric with a little tape before pulling a vacuum?


This is a great thought! I think you are on to something. Here is a photo of the toolside before infusing. The ripple is evident! I will try coating the fabric in spray tack and giving it a shot.

GO

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