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Lester Populaire - 3/5/2019 12:28:46 PM

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John Hansen - 3/5/2019 4:05:59 AM

Does anyone have hands on experience doing resin infusion of carbon fiber with a balsa end grain core. In my research on the methods, I find statements of vendors that indicate balsa end grain can be fabricated as a core between carbon fiber this way but at this time, actual evidence or instructions by someone experienced doing this still eludes me. Does anyone know anyone what has done it (successfully), or is it mere hyperbole by the vendors of the balsa core material? FYI, I have written to one notable vendor with no response. I have also done a patent search and with one notable exception there are no patents that shed light on the process of sealing the end grain. The referenced patent simply says

"seal the end grain". 

But how to seal it and with what to seal it? And how much weight is added to the balsa when it is sealed? Is this all a secret?
Looking for replies with experience.... no theories or conjecture, please.

Done it plenty times on kiteboards, furniture and other projects. works very well, but even after sealing it will soak up a lot of resin. The mechanical properties are extremely high tho. this is why balsa cores are used in wind mill blades in the areas of the highest stresses and on composite bridges.

For resin uptake you have to do your own tests really. the density of balsa has a huge range and the coating can or cannot make a big difference. i would recommend to use a viscous coating resin or a gel-coat with a short pot life, mixed with microballoons.

cheers

+x

 

John Hansen - 3/5/2019 4:05:59 AM

Does anyone have hands on experience doing resin infusion of carbon fiber with a balsa end grain core. In my research on the methods, I find statements of vendors that indicate balsa end grain can be fabricated as a core between carbon fiber this way but at this time, actual evidence or instructions by someone experienced doing this still eludes me. Does anyone know anyone what has done it (successfully), or is it mere hyperbole by the vendors of the balsa core material? FYI, I have written to one notable vendor with no response. I have also done a patent search and with one notable exception there are no patents that shed light on the process of sealing the end grain. The referenced patent simply says

"seal the end grain". 

But how to seal it and with what to seal it? And how much weight is added to the balsa when it is sealed? Is this all a secret?
Looking for replies with experience.... no theories or conjecture, please.