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Mast resin infusion

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downunder
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Mast resin infusion

Postby downunder » Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:25 am

Hey guys,

continuing on my Mast Building Method viewtopic.php?f=199&t=2394338

Yesterday, I've tried to wrap my core in a carbon. The weight looked promising :)

Core:
IMG_0010.JPG
Core plus all carbon:
IMG_0011.JPG

Than, the disaster. On the last carbon layer (finishing layer), the epoxy went off. Like big exothermic reaction, gone in a sec! Puff!

Using Entropy CLR, and yep, it did happen before. I did pour only 150ml, than poured this into a two pots 75ml each, pots 1/2L plastic ones (or 1/3L not sure).

Anyways, saved my core and binned all carbon...At least the core is sealed now :)

Which got me thinking, how to do a resin infusion guys? I would infuse this mast vertically, so the gravity would also kick in. But, can't find any setups on the Net, and looks like the UNI carbon is a bit.h to infuse judging from the readings.

I just cant handle the stress of making this expensive part with a vacuuming. Infusion seems to be heaps less stressful.


Any ideas?

Cheers

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby rtz » Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:53 am

Vacuum setup seems simple though?

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby downunder » Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:13 am

Sorry,

forgotten to add, I was about to use a vac...Resin infusion is a different game tho. It is clean, and makes absolutely optimal resin/fiber ratio (more optimal is only a prepreg, but that is another league).

I've got many boards under my belt with a vac, none with resin infusion....

D.

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby FrederikS » Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:56 am

Stop using super sap from Entropy it is way to exothermic.
You infuse so that the flow front does not trap air that is why you never infuse top - down, you want a nice even flow chordwise with some flow media at both sides.

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby downunder » Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:45 am

^
Thanks man, that is a nice tip. Good to know.

Would you use a CFM or maybe a fiberglass UNI square on carbon UNI for flow?

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby FrederikS » Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:52 am

Unidirectional give very poor results, I would buy a better high closure twill weave mat instead. You need several directions anyhow and the laminate properties will be more consistent which is good for durability.

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby Blackrat » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:42 pm

Soz to hear about binning the carbon :-( that sux
But infusion may be cleaner and neater than vacuum , but it's way more stressful especially if you only doing it once...

The only problem you had there is using an epoxy that kicks to quick ... Get a slow hardner and you will be smiling
Be sure to read the data sheet as there will be a minimum time period to wait before applying vacuum or you will suck the part dry.

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby rynhardt » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:07 pm

Infusion has its own set of challenges. Last board we did, we threw away a liter of resin because it started exotherming.
Luckily we could pinch the feed line closed and remove the reservoir. And this was with a slow hardener. Mind you, ambient temp was probably around 28C.

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby kostantin » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:33 pm

hi,

more !!!! pictures of the setup of your infusion. I also have some sort of problems to understand the language of your problem, english is not my native language.

The more details you provide, the better the help :-)

tks

kosta

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Re: Mast resin infusion

Postby downunder » Fri Feb 24, 2017 5:19 am

Rynhardt,

was about the same 28C temp at my place. Stupid mistake, should use West S. slow hardener but silly me. Anyways, moving to Araldite epoxy hopefully, just for this built.

~

Kosta, this is the problem right, every time I laminate there is no time to take any photos, only when is under the vacuum pump, I am taking pics. Since it did not happen this time, there are no pics :(

What resin infusion is giving you is a TIME. Time to relax, take a pic, or whatever. Because, when you put your project under the vacuum there is no epoxy in it.

In theory, we can leave the project under the vacuum for many hours, with no added epoxy.

However, using infusion is complex for a 3D mast shape to do in ONE go, having all dry carbon wrapped around the mast in exact places, etc.

There are many utube movies covering infusion, but none would cover doing a complete mast in one go. It is more easier to do only one half with infusion and than glue two halfes together. That is how GrantL built it.

D.


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