L-RTM ; Barrier Coat, no skin?

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by KD8NPB, Nov 27, 2018.

  1. KD8NPB
    Joined: Mar 2018
    Posts: 162
    Likes: 39, Points: 28
    Location: South Carolina

    KD8NPB Senior Member

    Anyone have any experience running thin L-RTM pieces with in-mold barrier coat only, and no skin coat? Any pics of the surface profile for thin parts?

    Most of my L-RTM parts will be ~1/4", which will be achieved with one piece of Rovicore.

    I've tested running parts with no skin, the surface profile is unacceptable. Granted, not as bad as I thought they'd be, but still unacceptable.

    I'm tentatively pursuing the use of Ashland V-PRO with a 12min gel time, since it can be sprayed with our existing MVP Patriot multi-gel station, although I'll need to purchase another pump and feedline setup (ouch $$$).
     
  2. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
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    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    Good barrier coats reduce the fiber print by abut 75-80%,....will that be enough......only you and the end customer can determine that.
     
    KD8NPB likes this.
  3. KD8NPB
    Joined: Mar 2018
    Posts: 162
    Likes: 39, Points: 28
    Location: South Carolina

    KD8NPB Senior Member

    The good news:
    I'm not looking for class A+ automotive grade surface profile and I'm going to use a low-exotherm, low profile resin. Mold turnover isn't crazy for my team, so I might be able to drop to a blended CHP initiator if I need to "give it all I've got" to achieve a good finish.
     
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