Infuse two sides foam at once

Discussion in 'Materials' started by MassimilianoPorta, Nov 14, 2019.

  1. ondarvr
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    Warning!

    Although it’s used frequently, products like 3M Super 77 can cause flow issues and possible delamination if over applied.

    It does not dissolve in the resin, so being a simple rubbery product it can stop the flow and/or wetting out of the fibers when too much is applied.

    It can also create dimples and blisters if sprayed onto the gel coat to adhere the first layer of fabric.

    So use it sparingly.

    There are products designed for this purpose that dissolve and don’t potentially affect the finished laminate in this way.
     
  2. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Thank you for the head up!
    Can you suggest me such products please?
     
  3. ondarvr
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    Doing flat panels you won’t need it, but most composite suppliers can get it for you.
     
  4. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    I thought to use it to keep everything in place, especially at the corners...
    I think I found it in easycomposites in UK.
     
  5. AndrewK
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    AndrewK Senior Member

    When I have a large resin break I dont glue core together, I use plastic raptor staples to hold in place. But if I only have a small resin break the joins parallel with the resin front I do not glue but the joins in line with the resin flow I do glue, the reason for this is that I do not want the resin to fast track along this join and into the vacuum line.
    The other thing to be aware of is that with thin laminates you will see print through where the resin fills the gaps between the core, also the grooved infusion core grid will also show.
    So if you want perfection in the finish then gluing the core pieces with resin highly loaded with micro-spheres or expanding pu glue is worth taking time to do.
    Also post curing the panels before you de-bag the job reduces the print through showing up with time.
     
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  6. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Thank you Andrew. I think maybe the time to join the cores is well spent vs having problem.
    At the end is just one panel and I have to glue 2 or 3 cores.
    I am also abandoning the idea of having a smooth surface in one shot... thinking too high/many goals for my first infusion.
    I will focus only on having 2 sides infused at once, and do the proper fairing afterwards
     
  7. AndrewK
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    AndrewK Senior Member

    If you use the grooved and perforated infusion core you may as well go ahead and do as originally planed as you are not making it any less complex by omitting the top smooth cover.
    I strongly recommend the grooved core for your first infusion, it is the simplest and most fool proof way to do a 1.5m infusion with a single feed line. If you make sure you have no leaks at all you will be impressed by the perfect impregnation infusion provides.
    Anything smooth and glossy will do, painted and waxed mdf sheet, acrylic sheet, mylar film etc.
     
  8. Eric ruttan
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    Eric ruttan Senior Member

    Make yourself happy. But, do a small test first. There is a lot of fear, but once you do it and see, you see how simple and easy it is.

    If all it takes is a flat sheet you lay over your infusion, and a bit of plastic to vac it down onto your part while wet, that could save hours toxic horiable sanding.
     
  9. rxcomposite
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    rxcomposite Senior Member

    I agree with Eric. Do a wet bag layup first. Mylar sheet for smooth underside. See if your bagging and pressure can produce a reasonable laminate weight. If you are satisfied, go for it. Unless you want to learn infusion for future projects.
     
  10. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Yes my goal is to learn infusion for future project. After this (that is a roof top for my boat) I would like to replace my heavy weight aluminum swim platforms with composites.
     
  11. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Can you advise the groove pattern? Grooves every cm? Depth of grooves?
    Same for perforations: in the middle of the squares or in the intersection of the grooves? Either case, holes in each or one hole every n square/intersection? Diameter of the holes?
    Thanks a lot.
     
  12. AndrewK
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    AndrewK Senior Member

    The infusion core I have used is from DIAB.
    Grooves are 20mm grid, holes are 2mm at intersections 40mm apart, next row is offset by one grid.
    Original product grooves were 2 x 2mm, later on they also had 1mm W & 2mm D.
    Not sure what is on offer now.
     
  13. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Thanks!
     
  14. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Another question: is there any rule of thumb to estimate the resin consumption?
    I'm almost ready to place the order for the materials
     

  15. MassimilianoPorta
    Joined: Apr 2019
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Update after the Xmas holidays (and too much eating!! :rolleyes:)
    After some research about resin usage I ended up with a method that weights everything and transform it into resin weight... probably a bit conservative but this is my first infusion and I prefer to be on the safe side.
    I just placed the order for resin, glass etc

    About the layup, as far as I undestand if I use a grooved and holed core, I can skip the flow mesh, so here below I updated the layup schedule.
    Can I have your wise advice on it please?

    ttop2-layup.jpg
     
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