Can we make a list of all the suppliers that sell flow media? I’m having problems finding the green air tech and can’t find a distributor to sell Enkafusion. Fiberglast has Enkafusion but I find it hard to believe that stuff is worth $10 a yard.
I do know this though…
Heavy green flow media
Express composites in Mineappolis MI, USA
Www.expresscomposites.com
Green from Airtech - https://www.airtechonline.com/htm/defaultIE.htm $75 a roll
These guys should be able to help you with Enka http://carbonsales.com/Flow-Medium-Type-7001-Medium-39-wide-250-roll-blue.html Something like $2.80 a yard for a full roll.
OR http://www.nfgsales.com/products/process_materials/vacuum_infusion_products for a selection of a few other medias.
Rotorage… Thank you :).
Btw what’s better? Green Airtech or Enlarge? Or does it depend on the mold and thickness if a lamibebt? Also, what about red Air Tech? Is that recommended more for larger parts? Lol I’ve been using green Airtech and never asked.
I have both and for the parts I’ve made it doesn’t make a difference. Subjectively it looks like red is faster although take that statement with a huge grain of salt. I haven’t run any tests on the matter.
Does the Enkafuaion conform better to parts with more curves and angles.
I’m never used Enka but the one thing I like with flow media is that you can cut it up as much as you’d like. When I have problems with curves and angles make slits and overlap the flow media. Being able to slice and dice it anyway you want makes it easy to get it to match the mold shape.
I think green flow mesh is more friendly to complex or intricate shapes and surfaces. I could be wrong but I think it is a little slower than the enka and is better suited for non “large” parts.
I thought the Enka was slower? I’d believe it if so. If you look at the Enka and compare it to the Airtech, the channels are much larger and thinner. Larger sounds good, but it takes much more time for the resin to flow from one strand to the other on the Enka. I’ll have to do some tests and report back in a few days - a week.
Basicly you will need to match the speed of the mesh with the speed your laminate can accept resin. It is useless to have a very fast flow medium, when your laminate is very slow at accepting resin (with carbon UD on the worst side of things).
By far the fastest I have seen is Airtech black knitted flow medium. Useful in some places, but definately not everywhere.
I like the knitted stuff for its conformability, and it does not roll back when unrolled.
I am having my own mesh produced, already for a long time now. I usually buy 15000 m2 at the time (150000 sqft).
The challenge is to produce a mesh which has the same flow in all directions. That did cost us some testing and sample work.
Thanks for the info herman. I never really put much thought into picking the right material for the laminate.I didn’t think I need to since our parts are generally 4 layers of 5.7oz twill - 10 layers of 5.7oz twill.
Is there a general rule or equation I can use to figure out what we need or is it all in the trial and error?
http://fiberglasssupply.com/
http://host0140.csmhosting.com/iwwida.pvx?;products?comp=FS1
Green does flow faster then Red, I only use Red Flow media and I did a test back to back using both green and red flow media with a timer.
Thanks for the info 316 :). I’ll be ordering flow media tonight. I’ll get the green Airtech and Enkafusion to see what they both work better on.
If you want Green Flow media I can you a a yard or so in the mail to test out. This way you don’t have to spend a bunch of money if you don’t like it.
Well I already know how the green Airtech works when infusing. I just need to buy more because I’ve been out haha. I might just buy a full roll since its so cheap.
I’m more interested in seeing how the Enkafusion works though. If you have any of that I’d be more then glad to buy a yard from you :).
If you get some Enkafusion send me some! I’ve never handled or worked with it either! I have a roll of green as well, cause it’s cheap 
We’ll be ordering a few yards tomorrow and I’ll be sure to make a new thread comparing the two in full detail. If we have some extra I’ll be sure to send you some. We’re poor right now so we’ll have to see haha!
Airtech usually has a good service in terms of samples. Take advantage of it.
While we are at it: Would it be possible for one of you guys to ask for a 4 meter (some 14 ft) sample of Breatherflow 60? Their standard sample size is 1 meter or so, so it needs a bit of persuasion or a “story” to get it.
I am just curious to see if you would be able to get it. I need it for a test, but the people in Luxemburg do not seem to be able to deliver it.
I’ll see what I can do ;-). Airtech is in the states right? How much would shipping be from here to the Netherlands? I can’t imagine more than $20 if its folded up in a small box.
Airtech is in California. Shipping is not the issue. It is just that the sales manager that I deal with in Europe keeps promising me that he will ask in the USA, but never does. He drives me crazy.