moist air composite construction?

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by sigurd, Feb 19, 2009.

  1. sigurd
    Joined: Jun 2004
    Posts: 827
    Likes: 8, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 65
    Location: norway

    sigurd Pompuous Pangolin

    How dry must the building space air be?
    Materials are corecell, carbon, spectra, epoxy, glass.
    Vacuum bagging mostly, I hope.
     
  2. marshmat
    Joined: Apr 2005
    Posts: 4,127
    Likes: 149, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 2043
    Location: Ontario

    marshmat Senior Member

    Hi Sigurd,

    None of the materials you mention should be particularly sensitive to humidity during layup. Make sure they're dry in storage- no liquid water- but I've never run into, nor heard of, humidity-related layup problems in vac-bagged construction when the ambient RH is less than 80 percent or so. Some of the epoxies can be rather temperature-finicky, but as long as you don't have condensation I don't think you're likely to encounter humidity-related problems with them.

    If the RH of the air is near saturation, you could get some condensation if you're storing your materials frozen. But I don't think it's much of a concern in any kind of normal air conditions. Norway doesn't have a monsoon season, to my knowledge ;)

    Now, liquid water is another matter- if you have a roof leak dripping onto your core storage racks, that could be a problem.
     
  3. sigurd
    Joined: Jun 2004
    Posts: 827
    Likes: 8, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 65
    Location: norway

    sigurd Pompuous Pangolin

    oh that is good to know. Thanks.
     
  4. TeddyDiver
    Joined: Dec 2007
    Posts: 2,615
    Likes: 136, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 1650
    Location: Finland/Norway

    TeddyDiver Gollywobbler

  5. TeddyDiver
    Joined: Dec 2007
    Posts: 2,615
    Likes: 136, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 1650
    Location: Finland/Norway

    TeddyDiver Gollywobbler

    here's the stat..
     

    Attached Files:

  6. sigurd
    Joined: Jun 2004
    Posts: 827
    Likes: 8, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 65
    Location: norway

    sigurd Pompuous Pangolin

    yes there is no seasonal rain, it rains the whole time.
     

  7. AndrewK
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 490
    Likes: 51, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 344
    Location: Australia

    AndrewK Senior Member

    Sigurd, I would follow the guidelines from your resin manufacturer, all epoxy data sheets that I have seen say 70% RH max. This has been my biggest problem as for most of the year this means I can only laminate between 10:00 - 16:00.
    I tried to get an indication by what amount would the laminate be degraded when RH is above 70% from my resin manufacturer, all I got is the repeat of the 70% RH but they acknowledge that not all builders abide by this.
    So if anyone has any test data I would love to see this, is it a 2% or 20% degradation?

    If you are going to be using vacuum then consider infusion because this process allows you to pull out all of the moisture from the dry laminate before you introduce the resin. Provided you have very high vacuum.

    Cheers
    Andrew
     
Loading...
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.