Canoe Resin Infusion - How do I manage resin distribution across mold?

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by ahender, Nov 4, 2019.

  1. ahender
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 91
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Athens, GA USA

    ahender Junior Member

    When the time comes to infuse, I plan to have a center vacuum point with my resin line running around the perimeter of the mold. I chose this method after reading half of the 46-page thread on infusing a skiff.

    My first attempt will consist of a single layer of 9 oz fabric, with a second layer added to the bow, stern and bottom third of the mold.

    Since the width of the bow and stern are less than the rest of the mold, and furthest from the center of the mold, do I risk creating a dry spot?

    Should I do the bow and stern separately before the rest of the mold?

    Since my vacuum point is the center of the mold, I'm having trouble visualizing the flow of resin.

    Thanks...Alan
     
  2. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
    Likes: 573, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 506
    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    Most of the time you run the vacuum around the outside and feed from the center.

    The feed line would run up the keel, but stop short of the ends. The goal is to have the resin flow out in a somewhat even rate to the vacuum Channel around the perimeter.

    With odd shapes, or wider areas you tee off from the main feed line to keep flow distances about the same.

    It can be done either way, it can be based on the exact part, or personal preference.
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2019
    fallguy likes this.
  3. Eric ruttan
    Joined: Jul 2018
    Posts: 190
    Likes: 30, Points: 28
    Location: usa

    Eric ruttan Senior Member

    As suggested, in general, one feeds up. This allows the feed to gravity fill any gaps as the level rises towards the vac line.

    Why would you not do it this way?
     
  4. waikikin
    Joined: Jan 2006
    Posts: 2,440
    Likes: 179, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 871
    Location: Australia

    waikikin Senior Member

    Not really my thing but did an infusion session with the techs at Nuplex years ago- vac at the perimeter means if you have a small leak, the leak doesn't feed into the product... if you vice versa and have the vac in the part a the product might be spoiled with a leak... no leaks might be ok & "heard" that sometimes better as the fill speeds up at the end but don't have real part experience to back that up. Groper is a whizz on the infuse... efficient 10m displacement powercat (build thread) https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/efficient-10m-displacement-powercat-build-thread.38588/
    All the best with it from Jeff
     
  5. ahender
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 91
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Athens, GA USA

    ahender Junior Member

    Ondarvr, Eric, and Waikikin. Thanks for your feedback.

    As I stated in my OP, my decision to pull resin from the perimeter was based on a 46-page thread where the person was infusing a skiff.

    Infusion Plan https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/infusion-plan.43380/page-21

    Just located this video from a boatdesign.net thread.



    I like the 'y' feed lines at each end. Looks like this would be a good method for my infusion to eliminate potential problems with the narrow ends of the boat.

    When infusing resin from the center, does it make sense to have another resin line further up the side-walls of the mold?

    Thanks again.

    Alan
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2019
  6. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
    Likes: 573, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 506
    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    The number and placement of feed lines depends on the exact laminate schedule.

    Every style of glass or other fiber will flow at a different rate, plus using a flow media will have a huge influence.

    Since this is your first attempt, make a flat panel with the exact laminate schedule and resin you plan to use. Then infuse it, time flow rate across the panel.

    After this test many of your questions will be answered.
     
    fallguy likes this.
  7. ahender
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 91
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Athens, GA USA

    ahender Junior Member

    Thank you.
     
  8. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 7,598
    Likes: 1,674, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Senior Member

    What resin is chosen?

    Just for clarity would you be operating with the bottom up or down?

    Then a dumb question. Does the mould come apart? How do you keep from the canoe becoming a part of it? Is it a female split mold?
     
  9. ahender
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 91
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Athens, GA USA

    ahender Junior Member

    This is a female split mold. I will be waxing the mold with Stoner Miracle Gloss, five coats. I may also use hairspray ( Mold Release, PVA and Hairspray https://www.epoxyworks.com/index.php/mold-release-pva-and-hairspray/ ).

    I'm looking at infusion epoxy from Easy Composites in the U.K and iLLStreet Composites. iLLStreet epoxy has a lower viscosity (150 cps). I do not know much about this company. Easy Composites has been very quick to answer my questions. iLLStreet not so much.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2019
    waikikin and fallguy like this.
  10. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
    Likes: 573, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 506
    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    Epoxies with viscosities that low typically use solvents to get there, solvents can reduce the physical properties dramatically.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2019
  11. ahender
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 91
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Athens, GA USA

    ahender Junior Member

    Ondarvr. Again, than you for this information. That's probably why they will not respond to my request for tech data on this resin. The Easy Composites resin has a cps between 250-400. They do provide a data sheet. I am certainly open to suggestions on other resins. Other than Easy Composites, 600 cps is the lowest I can find.
     
  12. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 7,598
    Likes: 1,674, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Senior Member

    Use heated/warmed Ampreg 26.

    I know zilch about it other than the viscosity is about 250.

    At least check them out. If I had to do over Ampreg would get high consideration.
     
  13. ahender
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 91
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Athens, GA USA

    ahender Junior Member

    The data sheet shows room temperature cure is 28 days or 24 hours at room temp plus 16 hours at 122 degrees F.
     
  14. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 7,598
    Likes: 1,674, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Senior Member

    98A7AEB9-69D8-4E0B-814D-CF832E5BA6C8.jpeg
    Full cure and sandable cure are not the same.

    They probably have a demould window as well. Most likely 15-30 hours on a guess; read the processing guides they provide.

    It will be hard to find a resin that doesn't provide a heated post cure unless they simply have not done the homework.

    Rather than seeing the data as a negative; recognize not knowing is worse.

    A 28 day no heated post cure is a great option.

    I heated finished hulls to 145F for 2 hours and it took 3 hours to get the oven warmed and three hours to ramp down. An 8 hour heat treatment for 10 meter hulls. (Not infusion, but wet bagged)

    98A7AEB9-69D8-4E0B-814D-CF832E5BA6C8.jpeg
     

  15. ahender
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 91
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Athens, GA USA

    ahender Junior Member

    Fallguy. De-mold time is 36 hours. I can't find a retailer. That probably means I can't afford it.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. ahender
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    1,916
  2. Joe0157
    Replies:
    24
    Views:
    937
  3. E.T.
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    890
  4. ltweardy
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    1,010
  5. Miny
    Replies:
    35
    Views:
    3,372
  6. UtahSignature
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    2,529
  7. UtahSignature
    Replies:
    29
    Views:
    2,405
  8. Sneddy71
    Replies:
    12
    Views:
    4,213
  9. Jordan Epstein
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    1,443
  10. ahender
    Replies:
    21
    Views:
    5,999
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.