different method of infusion

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different method of infusion

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Joe	Joe posted 13 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 310, Visits: 1.5K	Hi everyone, Every process has its advantages, or else nobody would use an autoclave. Strength of the part is not the only criteria for a composite part. Autoclave advantages also include much higher HDT than what we, garage guys, could do, at least for parts that wont fit in our kitchen oven if you see what I mean . And even if it fits, try to monitor it precisely... Also, DEPENDING THE APPLICATION, you could release several parts during one day with one mould while we DIY'ers can only hope that our fast catalyst will give us the time to demold the part (that we off course infused before going to work, which involves waking up at 4am) and then start waxing the mold again before its midnight so we can sleep a bit before going to work... And I know you all know what I mean... So if big companies have one autoclave and several exact same molds, it's their benefit to use it, would it be for speed / parts volume or HDT. Are those parts stronger? Some show studies that say no, some show studies that say yeah. Over qualified aerospace engineers cant live without an autoclave, some guys make their carbon airplane with their molds under vacuum and a simple oven... and it damn looks awesome and professional. Some parts wont need 250PSI and 250°C, some might. Some resellers sell the same bonnet for a car at 1500 for infusion method and 2500 for the same bonnet made with prepreg/autoclave. Is it worth the 1000 more? If you crash at even 60 Mph, I doubt it could make a difference. Maybe the prepreg/autoclave one shaves 700 grs more? Well, why not but we dont have formula ones. So, isn't it about getting the last little bit of advantage of each method, for a particular part, simply? A $1000 electronic device will always protect a 10 cents fuse Edited 13 Years Ago by Joe
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fgayford	fgayford posted 13 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 433, Visits: 1.2K	Carbon Tuner (08/07/2012) In my opinion pre preg should be avoided at all costs and looks like poo poo. I'd use it to make large parts, like a plane wing, that's about it. I'm confident enough to mix 500 grams of resin. I have done some of my own experiments with my home made autoclave. (a pressure paint pot, I took the release valve off and plumbed it so I could attach vacuum lines and air pressure through the lid) The part I infused was put in the pot at full 29HG vacuum and the pressure pot pressurized to 65psi. I also put this autoclave in my oven at 100f. The part came out amazingly compacted. There is no doubt that this piece was superior in strength because the resin to fiber ratio was so low. The down side is that the 3d look that is so desirable to us was gone. The fibers on the surface were squashed down flat as a pancake. For carbon fiber strength I will use an Autoclave, but for cosmetic panels I will use infusion. I have discovered that Binks makes a paint pressure pot that has a volume of 60 gallons 23.5 inch dia by 40 inch depth. I got a used one for $400.00 bucks. This is a cheap way to get access to your own Autoclave. They are rated at 110psi working pressure at 650 f. I am mounting it on its side where the lid will become the access door. It has 12 quick clamps and fittings to plumb the vacuum and pressure lines. Thought you guys might be interested in this. Fred Attachments PIC_1914.jpg (350 views, 64.00 KB) PIC_1914.jpg (335 views, 64.00 KB) stainlessSteelTanks.jpg (327 views, 34.00 KB)
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