post curing epoxy

Depends if there's any core material, which can cause serious of gassing, deformation etc.

 

Actually the epoxy doesn't care if there is anything else there. It still requires a minimum cure temp and pressure.

Perhaps the OP can give us a little more information so this doesn't degenerate further into vague unsupported comments.

What is the resin/ fiber system?
Is there any core - what is it?

 

Inquiring Minds want to know ?

 

For higher post curing temperatures you'd need an autoclave..

 

If it is a 300F curing resin it is not a post cure, what are you talking about?

 

Generally..

The OP's use of aerospace prepreg for a boat hull is either trolling or quite, sorry to say, stupid thinking it could be thermoset under a tarp. Most such prepregs need much higher curing temperatures like around 500F / 250C and even more. If the previously stated 300F is accurate there's a change to get reasonable curing at lower temperatures if it's given time enough. What time and what temperature is impossible to say here, doupt the formulator can nor answer to that question. Only way IMO is to test the strength after. It doesn't do any harm to try.

Some info about aerospace prepregs.
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-14392005000300016

 

It is pointless asking folks on a forum for the curing cycle for a prepreg, there are many formulations for specific purposes and the place where you can get all the info you need is from the company who actually manufactured your particular product, they will be able to answer all your questions. What you need to know is the pressure required and the ramp up times. As has already been mentioned if they require greater than 15psi you will need a press or an autoclave depending what the item you are making is.

Steve.

 

Finally enough information to understand.
I agree with both of the last posts, except that my company typically cures prepreg epoxy at 350F. Only specific high temp (non-epoxys) require 450F and above.

Given the obvious issues with the original statements, the only way to show the misinformation or trolling would be to ask for more details. That was an attempt to keep others who do not have direct experience from thinking the statements were accurate. Otherwise comments are just another unsupported statement.

I also agree that there are specific exceptions that companies have developed - hence the request for the resin.

 

hey blade, we just finished building two 20' long carbon fiber foil shaped dagger boards for a gunboat cat. This is the second set we have built. Some pre preg, some wet lam, wet bag, infusion. What ever it takes. These are beautiful pieces of work! So we built an oven using foil faced foam insulation board, it was about 7' high,10'wide, 24' long. This was heated with two of those propane torpedo heaters. Worked slicker than s----t. Also when I worked at lyman morse boatbuilders we built one of these gunboat cats, mostly pre preg carbon again. This took a very large oven built with the same insulation board. I mean big enough for the two hulls and sub bridge deck, then the hull tops, cabin house and the top of the bridge deck all in one peice. So just build a big oven and fire it up! Can you buy insulation in Florida? (just kidding).As for the temps, Who is the laminate made by? Ask them.....................................later....g