"Hot fusion" technique???

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

I’m watching an episode of “World’s Most Expensive Rides” on Discovery. They’ve got a story on the creation of a Ferrari Modena 360 stretch limo.

The process is described by Chris Wright, who was involved with McLaren on their SLR program before founding Carbonyte in the UK.

"Hot fusion enables complex carbon fiber components to be baked without the need for large ovens, making it possible to create high-quality, complex structures in the workshop.

“Hot fusion is a composite manufacturing technology that I have refined over the years. Basically, it gives you an aerospace-quality laminate that you can use in an automotive environment”

…That’s all they say about it.

I haven’t got a clue what they could be describing, unless it’s dry composite with layers of sheet epoxy that is vacuum debulked before the resin is heat activated in an oven.

#2

uh huh…baked without the need for large ovens…then how do you…er…bake it? Google might have something, who knows. Maybe the mold is heated?

#3

Found this in a quick Google search…

Carbonyte HotFusion Process

Airtech Resin Infusion Materials & Tooling build high quality automotive panels

Airtech Advanced Materials Group, consisting of Airtech International Inc. – USA Airtech, Tygavac Advanced Materials Ltd – U.K. & Airtech Europe S.A. – Luxembourg, is proud to congratulate Carbonyte UK Ltd. on the successful launch of their Anarchy Limousine.

The use of Airtech Resin Infusion Vacuum Bag Materials & Toolfusion Materials in the Carbonyte HotFusion process has yielded the light weight panels with A Class automotive finish required for this prestigious project.

The HotFusion process employs self heated mould tool technology utilising Airtech Toolfusion materials. This eliminates the need for oven or autoclave equipment. Airtech Resin Infusion Vacuum Bag Materials selected for the HotFusion process provide the combination of High Temperature Performance, Vacuum Integrity and Resin Compatibility required to ensure high quality part manufacture.Carbonyte’s use of resin infused composite panels has achieved a 140” vehicle extension with a never before achieved weight increase of only 600Kg.

Chris Wright from Carbonyte UK stated, ‘The HotFusion process is aimed at cost effective composite processing in any application including Marine, Aerospace and Industrial, and we believe the Anarchy Super Stretch Range Rover showcases the possibilities of weight savings using advanced composites in this high profile, image conscious market’.

#4

Oh I love when people come up with their own terminology for an existing process in order to make it seem like they actually invented something new! The cosmetic automotive industry is full of that crap.
The tooling is simply heated, sometimes using closed molds instead of bagging. Otherwise, insulation is used or a heat blanket on the bag side.

#5

or just rebrand an existing product into something NEW!!!

coughSamsungLEDTVcough

#6

I knew the electric blanket idea would work!

#7

I’ve been using heat blankets for cooking smaller composites for quite a long time. works a treat and VERY cheap to run, Im only talking about wet lay carbon, vac baged then wrapped inside a heated bed blanket, only uses 60 watts of elecric and gets the mould upto approx 40-45 deg c :slight_smile: anybody else use this?

#8

hahahaha freaking smart-allecs. “HOT -Fusion” yeah it’s the hot new hip thing in composites! lol.

meanwhile a guy is tucked down underneath a mold with two heat guns LMAO.

Don’t you know they use “hot-fusion” because it is sooo much better than ovens or autoclaves… come on people get with the times that dictate lying and b.s are ok. Get the shovel out!