Is it possible to make DIY prepeg with vinyl ester resin then freeze to prevent cure?
If so, can anyone recommend where to buy the prepreg release film?
Can’t help with the first question. But as for the second - if you mean the plastic that prepreg is covered with, then search for ‘embossed polythene’.
You can take a non promoted vinylester, then add catalyst, and freeze the lot. With a bit of luck, you can store it long term, and cure it at high temperature.
Thou shalt make tests!!!
Its not possible to make diy prepreg from vinylester resin.it will either cure or not cure, in my opinion u cant get stage a or stage b like epoxy.
vinylester is a no go I’d think… once you add the mekp or whatever peroxide, it’s gonna do it’s thing. You could do a test but even if you did freeze it and came back the next day, how long are you gonna have to work with it before it gels? If you use vinylester, you can get some damn nice resins for infusion. Near water thin, great for infusing.
thanks for the info guys! I have found some Vinylester prepreg out there.
Maybe some testing is required, I’ll get back with you on the results!
this is what I have seen! Hummm non promoted, what exactly is that referring to?
Most laminating resins are promoted, meaning that they will harden like they do. Without a promotor, you’ll need to add some promotor (like cobalt) yourself, or else it takes a long time to harden. These unpromoted resins are usually for people who like more control over their potlife, for infusion for instance.
made a little experiment:
made up a sheet of around 8"x8" square 2x2 twill, saturated the fibers and had a slight bit of resin left in a cup.
I used bagging film on both sides of the prepeg.
Placed them both in a freezer activated with 1% MEKP, the next day I removed the resin cup and let it stand overnight, sure enough it was hard as a rock. Pulled out the fabric today and cut the sheet into quadrants and placed it onto a piece of glass. The resin started to cure after an hour at 70 deg. lets see tomorrow, and i’ll report back
Part fully cured with no issues.
Next i’ll make another batch and leave it for a few months.