New to Infusion

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

Hey everyone,

I have been reading these forums for months now and I almost have enough guts to try my first infusion project. I have a few questions though. I can’t seem to find the piece that connects the line from the resin to the actual part…where the tube goes into the bag. I’m not sure what it is called or how to connect it. It seems to be skipped over in most of the videos I have watched.

I am going to make a composite box where the infusion will be centered in the bottom and then I will hopefully have MTI hose around the perimeter of the opening. Hopefully I haven’t chose too hard of a project to start with. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I apologize if this has been covered in a previous thread…like I said, I have searched but I am not sure what it is called.

#2

I would start with a simple, flat panel for your first infusion and go from there. Also remember to use a resin designed for infusion.

As for the resin inlet, just use a barbed T fitting. The 2 parallel legs of the T go in the spiral wrap, if that is what you are using as a feed line under the bag, and the 3rd perpendicular leg connects to the resin line through the bag.

Alternatively, Airtech makes a reuseable connector called a RIC (resin infusion connector) which is placed under the bag and over the spiral feed line and allows you to simply stab the resin feed line into it after you do a drop test. These are by no means required but they do make life a bit simpler.

#3

Thanks Infusible

I was thinking I would use the spiral wrap to suck the resin through instead of it being infused through the spiral. From what I read, I thought I could use the spiral wrap either way. I just want to do a single point infusion from the bottom middle and use the spiral wrap the pull the resin throughout the box. Does that sound alright? Would that RIC still work with no tubing under it? Thanks

#4

You can use the spiral wrap for inlet, outlet, or both. If you want a single point inlet you can still use a barbed tee fitting just sandwich the parallel legs of the tee fitting between 2 layers of flow mesh. I wouldn’t use the ric without putting it over a small piece of spiral wrap (1-2") or something else permeable so the bag does not get forced into the channel where the spiral wrap normally goes since it may break the bag.

#5

And the flow mesh goes on top of the peel ply right? I just haven’t read anywhere that the peel ply is permeable. I don’t need to use the perforated peel ply right?

#6

This may seem like a very stupid question but I am going to ask anyway…

Is it feasible to substitute the peal-ply for perforated film, thus having a smooth inside surface rather that the textured surface left by peal-ply when infusing?

I’d rather the glossy smooth finish that is evident after conventional bagging techniques used with wet lay or pre-preg.

#7

Yes, flow mesh goes on top of peel ply if you would like to be able to remove it. I have never heard of “perforated peel ply”.

You shoulld be able use perforated release film in place of peel ply under flow mesh in order to get a relatively smooth finish. Also, there are many different types of peel ply that provide different surface finish roughnesses. You can also brush/spray on a top coat after the part is infused.

#8

Infusible thanks for letting me know that I should be able to use perforated release film when infusing, that will give me the finish on the parts that I was hoping to achieve, now for the trials as soon as the ‘MTI’ tube arrives. :slight_smile:

#9

I meant the perforated release film, sorry. Thanks for all the help Infusible!

Oh and one last question. Is a gel coat the only way to get a glossy finish? My box is going to be banged around a bit and I’m worried the gel coat won’t hold up.

#10

Just to let you know, perf release film, WILL leave a gloss finish, but show ALL THE WRINKLES!!! It will also not be a flat surface, obviously. Also, make sure the film is infusion type…there are many perforation types, some are too solid for infusion :slight_smile:

#11

Thanks riff42, so in other words the piece would appear to have a similar finish to vacuum bagged wet-lay but without any voids and potential surface imperfections…sounds good to me and may be the step in the right direction for me.

#12

You want to see if you can find a roll of Fibertex (type Compoflex 150, or Compoflex 150RF if you want the mesh included.).

This material leaves a relatively smooth finish, and is a completely porous material. PErf film can leave small "“islands”

#13

carbonclimb and oronero,

Depending on the part, customer, and material used… another option is that they do make infusible fiberglass that has a flow media built into the fabric/ply. This eliminates the need for any peel-ply (if not secondary bonding), release films, or other flow media. Because it is built into the fiberglass, you don’t have to worry about removing a secondary flow media, you’re just left with your final product, ready for de-mold, trimming, and finishing.

Its only a viable product if fiberglass as a final layer is acceptable in your laminate schedule, but if it is, it saves a ton on time and extra consumable expense, and you can place the infusion line anywhere you want on the laminate.

-C