Resin Infusion

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

I just took a look at Evan’s tutorial on resin infusion and I’m really curious to know if it will work for my application. I need to use the strongest stuff that I’m capable of using to get the strongest and lightest parts for the seat on the hydrofoil board. Right now, I’m doing…

Wet Layup
Fibreglast Epoxy 2000 with 2hr cure
About 15 layers of 9oz T700 Unidirectional carbon
Two outter ply’s of 5.7oz Plain weave
A piece of 5oz twill Kevlar in the middle
26.5HG Vacuum Bag

At this point, I’m not as worried about looks as mush as the darn thing breaking on me…so again, strength and weight are crutial…

Attached is a picture of my first carbon tower assembly. The two side plates I created, but the top flex-plate was purchased. Can I build my tower plates using resin infusion and get a better resin to fiber ratio that results in better strength/weight?

#2

How is it holding up now?

#3

I’m not sure yet, since I’m also building the board to go with the seat tower. Hopefully I’ll have it complete in the next two weeks and I’ll go test them together.

So does this look like a project that could easily be done with vacuum infusion? Or is it kinda risky and should I stick with wet layup? I’m just looking for a way to get out of the laborius wet layup task. :slight_smile:

Thanks.

#4

Infusion works pretty nice on unidirectional stuff as long as the resin is traveling parallel to the tows. I think you’ll end up with a cleaner part that is a little bit lighter than what you’re doing now. 26.5" does push out a decent amount of excess resin so weight difference isn’t something that you’re going to notice all that much. Beats the hell out of wet laying layers upon layers though.