Infusion Q&A

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by jim lee, Dec 17, 2009.

  1. jim lee
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    jim lee Senior Member

    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
     
    2 people like this.
  2. Herman
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    Herman Senior Member

    Seems like a good idea to me.
     
  3. JRL
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    JRL Im with stupid

    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.
     
  4. variverrunner
    Joined: Dec 2009
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    variverrunner Junior Member

    Good afternoon all,
    Is there a method for infusing honeycomb or does it normally require a multi-step process?
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2009
  5. jim lee
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    jim lee Senior Member

    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
     
  6. AndrewK
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    AndrewK Senior Member

    JRL
    Why do you want to double bag? is it to eliminate resin off gassing?
     
  7. JRL
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    JRL Im with stupid

    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.
     
  8. JRL
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    JRL Im with stupid

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

    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.
     
  10. vicgin
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    Location: georgia

    vicgin Junior Member

    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.
     
  11. Herman
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    Herman Senior Member

    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.
     
  12. jim lee
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    jim lee Senior Member

    Wormholes, don't forget wormholes..

    -jim lee
     
  13. jmolan
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    jmolan Junior Member

  14. AndrewK
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    AndrewK Senior Member

    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
     

  15. scotch&water
    Joined: Jul 2009
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    scotch&water Junior Member

    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.
     
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