Howdy,
I recently completed my first infusion. I used ProSet LV epoxy for infusion and green tec media. The peel ply came up in all the other areas except for the area under the flow media. Actually I was able to remove some with the flow media above it but the remaining bit is STUCK! What gives?
depends on the flow media…it happens to me all the time…if you have a strong peelply, then it’ll take off the flow media. or vs. versa.
you should be using a green peelply that has release qualities to it not a natural peel ply which is usually white. Using a the proper peelply you will have no problem peeling the mesh off, comes off like butter.
The whole part didn’t use flow media? Lucky for you if it infuse completely.
Thin/weak peel plies are hard to remove, especially when used with flow media that retains a lot of resin. But it will come off eventually, just keep workin and expect sore fingertips! Using strong epoxy resin makes it much harder to remove than cheap polyester or vinylester.
Pick up some release coated peel ply and you’ll get better results.
I was under the impression that you cut the infusion mesh short so the resin is forced to slow down. Am I mistaken?
I think the point that TET was making is that generally people use a lot more flow media then what you used and he was surprised that your part infused all the way with the little bit of flow media that you were using.
Thanks and yes. Although i did remove some flow media compared to what you see, I learned the media should go much closer to the laminate edges. Thanks for the advice regarding the peel ply!
We sometimes have trouble removing the peel ply especially after a post cure in the autoclave with pressure. We don’t use released peel ply as we often have to post bond to the part.
We have developed the “Death Roll” to remove it. Use a pair of pliers and grip a edge then roll the pliers, like opening a sardine can lid. It won’t remove it in big pieces but it is easier than pulling it
i’ve had everything stick to my parts after leaving it on for a post cure. I never will cure and post in the same bag again. And those were simple release peelply, and a strong flow media. Just ripped clean at the edges of the media.
maybe 2 layers of peelply? 
90 and 45 directions.
Why don’t you use released peel ply if you have to post bond to the surface?
the release can come off on the part.
If that’s the case why use peel ply at all? I thought the point of peel ply was for a rough bonding surface.
If you are infusing and not using peel ply the transfer will no longer be removable, plus it kinda stop air getting into the laminate. When wet lam’ing the peel ply gives a nice finish and edges.
Some places use peel ply then sand or sand blast which would remove the release.
I highly recommend using flow media over any areas that you want resin to reach.
Just don’t feed resin to your vacuum lines with flow media. That’s where you want to make it hard for resin to travel, but easy for air to escape.
It can be used to give the b side a nice mat finish. it also helps pull out extra resin that can get traped between the surface and the release film.
Maybe try heating the cured epoxy up a bit with a heat gun? I seem to remember reading somewhere that a guy did so and it released alot easier.
Would it help to place a layer of perforated release film between the peel ply and breather?
There’s no breather in infusion. For for most layups it’s just peel ply and infusion mesh
I’ve been able to get resin to flow about 4 inches without flow medium… but that is with really “water like” resin. Also using fabric store “peel ply” you have to get it peeled off while the laminate is still green. I found that one out the hard way about two years back. Now i only use composite specific peel ply.
I have the same experience as Fastrr. The resin will flow a few inches maximum (I used 700 cps resin) but after that it stops.