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Using shrink tube for prepreg consolidation
Using shrink tube for prepreg consolidation
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Using shrink tube for prepreg consolidation
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hadi1990
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hadi1990
posted 4 Years Ago
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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!
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Chris Rogers
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Chris Rogers
posted 4 Years Ago
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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/
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Using shrink tube for prepreg consolidation
hadi1990
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4 Years Ago
It can work, but leaves a pretty poor surface finish. You also want to be careful, because keep in mind that a lot of heat shrink tubing is design to bond well with epoxy so that harnesses can be...
Hanaldo
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4 Years Ago
It may not fix your initial problem either as the waves or ripples are normally caused by not having enough tension on the material in the first place causing it to ruck up when the pressure from the...
Rich (Staff)
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4 Years Ago
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...
explorecomposites
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4 Years Ago
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