Hey all. First timer here with a possibly stupid or creative idea. Depends on how you see it.
Anyway… I have been reading up on composites and fiberglass and vacuum bagging molding ect ect.
My question is… can I use something other then carbonfiber or fiberglass to make a part? Say use a layer of denim then a few fiberglass layers?.. just for a differant look. I havnt ever seen a denim fender yet.
Second question… can I vacuum infuse fiberglass the same way as carbon fiber… maybe to help cheapen some learning errors?
Yes you can do both. Fiberglass and carbon fiber are chosen for strength purposes but the definition of composites is two or more materials put together.
And you can definitely fiberglass to practice infusions to save on cost. If you’re doing small pieces it might be worth it to find a local shop that uses the stuff and ask them to dig through their bin.
Yes and yes. You can use anything in composites, after all, that is the meaning of the word. Natural fibers like hemp and cotton are used often in some designs. You might need to practice with various materials, like denim, just due to the fact they are MADE to soak up resin, or be infusible. Soaking the cloth in resin, and laying up the other layers using a wet-layup, or even infusion would work I think. The denim just would not really be any structural support. You also risk having the color bleed out while infusion. Again, test it to see if it works.
You can infuse all standard composite fabrics. Glass, carbon, kevlar, spectra, zylon, etc. Each fabric however has it’s own permeability, ie: how well it infuses. Fiberglass has larger fibers, so it is actually easier to infuse than carbon fiber.
Thanks guys. Think im almost ready to try to make something. Now to find something I need lighter and stronger.
Never though about that. Find composite shops, and universities that have composite groups…ask them for scraps!!
I thrive off professionals like you. Frequently you guys have to throw away lots of material for some minor problem. For example weaver gave me 15 or so yards of rejected carbon fiber, reason was ONE weft tow crossed over another weft every 7 inches or so. Not a problem for me at all.
Similarly a boat manufacturer cut out a hull from cloth and had lots of little bits and ends. I got a bunch of 5x6 inch scraps from that at well!
It helps a lot because I don’t make money off my work so it’s hard to justify buying pristine practice materials. One man’s trash sure is another mans treasure.
We just tossed a butterload of prepreg…shame that I didn’t get anyone to take it. Sat out in the rain and heat for a few days…not useable after that 
But yeah, the stuff we toss…WOO.
My local supplier laid up some flat panels using cloths from a fabric store. i was surprised how strong they were when done over a balsa core.
My local supplier laid up some flat panels using cloths from a fabric store. i was surprised how strong they were when done over a balsa core.
Fabric stores are great for breather/bleeder fabric as well.
I agree. Besides strong they may also be strikingly beautiful, with colorful patterns, etc. However, there may be an issue with UV rays. Most such fabrics would not last long under the sun.
Basically anything with fibers. Cotton, fleece, polyester, etc.
So does polyester resins breakdown the same way?
Basicly, yes. Takes some 30 years or so. I have a polyester roof, not protected by topcoat or so. It is getting very brittle and holes develop (it is just 1 layer of 1.5 oz CSM).
I covered it with another layer of CSM, and a topcoat for protection. Now good for another 50 years…