Matt,  Thanks for the reply..... I'm glad I read this thread before I placed my order. (which I did Yesterday).  I had every intension of getting the Elastifilm Since I "Thought" it would be easier. But After the info in this thread I changed my mind to the Standard Bagging Film.

This is going to be my first attempt at making some CF parts and don't need any extra issues. I'm sure there will be enough....

Thanks,   Dennis

Hi Dennis,

In our experience elasticated bagging films do slow down infusion mesh noticeably. We've done side by side 'infusion races' between our normal film and our Elastifilm, the normal film probably around twice as fast. The reason is the way that the elasticated bagging films suck down into the shape of the infusion mesh, thus really restricting the flow gaps that the mesh is there to create. It still works but it's quite a bit slower.

It's true that epoxy sticks to the Elastifilm, I take your point about this not being on the product page and I might add something to that affect but Fred's right that the release properties of bagging materials (apart from release films of course) are generally not included as part of a material's specification. If you use a peel-ply then it's a mute point because even if the bag, mesh and peel-ply are all bonded together then you would still be able to remove the peel-ply from the part (although it might be a bit more tricky).

For general infusion, I would recommend our vacuum bagging film film. It's a top-notch film and one you're familiar with the bagging technique you shouldn't have any problems with leaks around the pleats etc.

[UPDATE - I've added this infor to the Elastiflm product page]

--Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

If you don't use peel ply first your flow media and that type of vacuum bag will be permanently part of your part.

Ask me how I know. You could use perferated release film in place of the peelply so it comes off very easy.

The product doesn't say it will stick or it won't stick. Pros know that.

Fred

Here in Canada the name is Stretchelon. It infuses just fine over any flow media I have tried. I have never heard of someone saying it restricks flow.

Fred 

I haven't used the ElastiFilm from Easy Composites but I know that when doing infusion you shouldn't use elastic fil because it clogs the flow mesh's pores and as a result the air and resin move very slow. I would like to get an opinion from EC crew though.

This quote makes me a bit nervous.....I am placing a fairly large order soon and I was going to purchase Elastifilm for all my parts. No where in the description does it say it won't come off epoxy resin.  I would guess this would mean even if you are using an infusion mesh on all parts you would need to make sure it covers the part completly. I was going to use the Elastifilm to help with not having leaks at the pleats I would need with the standard bagging film. I realize I may need a few pleats even with the Elasifilm but would be less of them. 

O man is this next part going to be easy, still got my seatbelts curing, Ill pop em out tommorow!

Cool I can cut the mesh away from the tight corners, I did see some places where the mesh wasnt, and it still seemed to wick through.

I did not know the vaccuum bag material could be peeled off carbon fiber directly if no mesh.



If Brute Force Isn''''t working your not using enough...

Hi Donnie,

On really small parts like you describe you may not need the mesh over the entire part, a strip down the centre might be enough, meaning you wouldn't have to worry about getting it in the corners, the infusion will run slower but that shouldn't be an issue for somthing of that size, there's no great trick for the peel-ply, as you say a few cuts should do the trick. 

It's also worth noting that you don't need the peel-ply if there isn't any mesh, we have done parts that size without any mesh at all, just the feed spiral, you need to use the standard vacuum bagging film and not the elastifilm if you're doing this, as the elastifilm adheres to the epoxy and will never come off! if your going to try this, be warned, it's a really slow infusion and can only be done on really small parts. 

Paul Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical

Howdy.



WellI am trying to make a rather small part. It is the knuckle cover for a seatbelthinge. 9x7 cm and bout’ 3 cm deep, in the shape of a triangle.



What’sthe correct way to get that mesh and peel ply to go in all the tight areas? Ihave been cutting the peel ply in strips and over lapping it, and the mesh Imake it in to parts, then snip the edges so the flex better..



Thanksfor any help!



Donnie





If Brute Force Isn''''t working your not using enough...