Anybody have experience rolling Pre preg tubes?

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#1

Hello Everybody,

I am new to this forum but not to composites. Been working with Carbon and glass for a couple of years now.

My hobby is High Power rockets, I have been rolling my own CF tubes for a while now. I have recently discovered pre preg CF. It looks like it has some potential. mainly because of not having a big mess, great resin ratios and clean cut cloth and seams.

For rolling tubes, it looks like it would be hard to get the pre preg nice and tight around the mandrel. Also, getting it to stick to the mylar that covers that mandrel too seems difficult too.

I also was toying around with doing the DIY pre preg using aeropoxy like on this video:
http://youtu.be/9_tDQTgdsCg

Has anybody done this sort of thing before? If so, can you share some techniques? :slight_smile:

Thanks,
Tom

#2

Tominator,
Take a look at this thread

http://www.compositescentral.com/showthread.php?t=1163

there are also a number of threads detailing round CF parts using various techniques, such as bladder molds, expanded foam, and vacuum bagging. I would take a look around the forum to see if your questions have already been answered.

#3

Shoot, I tried to edit the title and may have deleted my original post?

And thanks for the reply. I did take a look at the thread. I was just wondering if there was more techniques out there.

#4

Edited. Keep looking through this forum. Look for terms such as mandrel and bladder molding. Tags and search function are your friend

#5

Why, hello Tominator, We meet again.

Alex

#6

Thanks Canyon, ill keep looking around.

Alex,
Yes, indeed we do. I am glad i have at least one fellow TRF member here. :slight_smile:

-Tom

#7

You can order prepregs with 2 sticky sides, to keep everything in place. After the vacuumbag is on you should be fine.

#8

So, most Prepreg is one sided?
And I want to order some by the foot from mycarbon express and some sample heat shrink tape from dunstone. Should be good for experimenting.

#9

most prepregs have one sticky side to stick on the mould/previous layer. you can get them two sided, medium sticky, very sticky, etc.

#10

Ah, I see.

The cheapest 2x2 twill 5.7 ounce Pre preg I have found is carbon and FG sales. But the TG of the epoxy is a little low for my liking. AVT Composites has some for $70 for 5 yard increments. Anybody know where I can get Pre preg by the yard at a reasonable price? Or am I out of luck? I was going get some smal test pieces from my carbon express. But rolling big tubes would be expensive at over $100 a yard.

Thanks,
Tom