Hey guys,
I started playing around with CF about a year ago, and have actually started to get some decent results (after a lot of trial and error, but that’s what it’s all about :D)
I am thinking about making an Oil Tank and a Radiator Catch Can for my motorbike out of CF, but i’m concerned about it’s resistance to heat and oil.
I currently use West System 105 and 205.
Cheers,
Trav
It’s not the CF you need to worry about, it’s the resin that’s the concern. Your resin/hardener combo should give a TG around 140F max. I’m sure your oil is above 140f and I could only imagine the clutch area would be too. You might want to look into a VE resin because they generally have a higher TG then the epoxies that are available from online hobby supply shops like the places that sell West systems. You can use epoxy, you just need to get one with a higher TG then the area the part will live in. Generally epoxies that handle high temp areas will need a post cure and this is why they are usually left for the pro’s and high end market ( that’s why all online hobby supply shops sell low TG epoxy resin, they don’t supply pro’s). I suggest a VE because they can cure at room temp and will have the TG you need. VE is used ALOT in boat hulls and cosmetic automotive panels so don’t be worried about strength. Plus it’s usually cheaper then epoxy.
Thanks for the quick response.
I figured that was the case (the resin being the decider, not the CF)
Is VE much harder to work with?
Along with your choice of resin, I would also look into getting a sealer to paint the side that gets the liquid. Look into a fuel tank sealer such as Por-15, it will add a little extra protection.
thanks for the tip.
I’m possibly going to make my fuel tank out of CF too and i was going to do that to the inside of that as well. cheers.
oil should not be a concern for most resins. Fuels and high solvent liquids are the bad materials. Oil should be fine. As for temps, figure out what max temps it will see, and decide on a resin after that.
If you need resin to cure in Room temperature for hi temperature resistnds then you can use the below Vinylester resin. The specifications of the product is for Chemical resistance to wide range of substances (Acid, alkalies, oxidising agents etc) and Hi temperature. The scott bader can heated at 185C and the Reichhold at 240C.
Check below some European companies:
SCOTT BADER:
REICHHOLD COMPOSITES:
DON’T FORGET TO ADD COBALTIUM 6%. Usually 3-4 ml at 1 litter for 20-30 minutes cure. If you are not add Cobaltium then the curing time will be 2-4 hours.
There are many more. Polynt has a very nice infusion vinylester. Comes unpromoted, so shelf life is OK. (VE370SC). There is a huge list available with the chemical resistance at different temperatures.
I have had issues with the shelf life of Reichhold VE resins, which turned out to have promotor in it although they sell it as “unpromoted”.