Compliant Peel Ply for wet layup

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#1

I’m doing a wet hand layup around a foam core (that stays in the composite structure). Its a fully wrapped core that I lay up with CF/Epoxy then a peel ply layer, then batting and pull a vacuum with an envelope style vacuum bag technique.

The problem I’m having is with the peel ply layer being compliant enough to lay smooth on the complex surfaces (mountain bike frame). I’ve tried a few products from AircraftSpruce :
[ul]
[li]Teflon Coated woven sheet
[/li][li] Perforated plastic
[/li][/ul]

The woven stuff is not very compliant so i get a lot of bridging and the perforated stuff leaves behind a lot of wrinkling. I do a sanding finishing process so it doesn’t need to be a finish surface.

:confused: Any ideas/suggestions?

-Kyle-

#2

Cut the peel ply into smaller sections and lay those where you need. Some complex shapes may need you to do that anyway… I have a mould that is like a crab claw shape. I have to lay 3 pieces of peel ply to stop peel ply bridging if I want a smooth but textured surface…

#3

The teflon coated woven sheet is the same thing that another websites teflon coated xxx. I’ve used it and it doesn’t conform to shapes at all and does not drape nicely either. I use it on complex shapes that require an easy release since the stuff comes off real easy.

For something that will give you less bridging and drape easier try a TREATED peel ply and like the above said as well, cut it into sections slightly.

#4

Thanks, when you say “TREATED peel ply” did you have a specific product in mind? I was thinking about trying this from Jamestown.

-Kyle-