Infusion Q&A

[jim lee]

I notice a lot of scattered infusion questions. Maybe we could discuss the all here?

I just thought it might be nice to have a central place to ask infusion type questions.

-jim lee

[Herman]

Seems like a good idea to me.

[JRL]

Is this more of a "how to" thread? Or is this a anything resin infusion thread?

Ive been looking into "double bagging" and resin infusion lately. The theory behind it makes to much sense.

[variverrunner]

Good afternoon all,
Is there a method for infusing honeycomb or does it normally require a multi-step process?

[jim lee]

Seeing that nothing but infusion was specified.. Lets say its an "anything resin infusion thread"

Double bagging, like inner bag with pressure and outer bag with vacuum?

As for honeycomb? I've not seen it done.

-jim lee

[AndrewK]

JRL
Why do you want to double bag? is it to eliminate resin off gassing?

[JRL]

Originally Posted by AndrewK

JRL
Why do you want to double bag? is it to eliminate resin off gassing?

When resin is under vacuum any air trapped in it will expand. So the theory is that after the part is infused, you apply a vacuum to the second bag. Once the second bag is completely under vacuum you bleed off the vacuum under the first bag. This should compress any trapped air under the first bag.

I guess this would work better for wet layup vacuum bagging more so then resin infusion.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by jim lee

Double bagging, like inner bag with pressure and outer bag with vacuum?

Yes. Just trying to figure out a way to cure epoxy while not under vacuum, but still seeing an atmosphere of pressure.

[AndrewK]

For small jobs double bagging could be a good solution but for large jobs expensive and a pain. Have you tried degassing the resin first to see if that provides the quality you are after.
During summer temperature in my shed can be in the 35 - 40'C range and the epoxy resin I am using starts to boil . Recently I have started to reduce the vacuum to 80% after impregnation and now get a better laminate with out any noticeable increase in resin content.

[vicgin]

I want to learn "resin infusion" for a boat project when the weather warms. Have been reading online stuff. How did you guys start? Any learning dvd's, kits etc? Would like to try it extensively before building a houseboat.

[Herman]

Learn by making small parts, and watching large parts being made.

When you understand the smaller parts, and have watched large parts, and understand the pitfalls (dry areas and race tracking being the most obvious) you can upgrade to larger parts.

[jim lee]

Wormholes, don't forget wormholes..

-jim lee

[jmolan]

I have been reading this the last couple days:

http://www.fram.nl/

[AndrewK]

vicgin, I watched a 40' deck being infused and from there on I was hooked.
It always helps if you can see an infusion the first time from there on you have to do some experimenting your self.
Make sure you record all details for the trials, like ambient temperature, resin temperature initial and at regular time intervals, vacuum, laminate schedule, bore size of inlet and distribution lines, spacing of distribution lines, spacing of inlet tubes, resin flow rate.
For your house boat I would recommend using the grooved core as I think it is the easiest way, but panels will be heavier.

have fun
Andrew

[scotch&water]

Hi vicgin, check out West System, Glue U school. You will get a feel of vacum bagging and infusion . Classes in feb. 22-23 2010 and 25-26 2010 call and see if you can get in. All the the best.