Have you guys seen any difference in surface quality when putting the warp face against the tool?
We have some parts that are being cut on the Gerber with the fill face to the tool surface and we get lots of surface pits.
I want them to cut with the warp face to the tool to get a better surface. I have seen the better surface historically and just want to get your feelings.
This is with 250 degree autoclave cure fiberglass prepreg style 7781.
That’s strange.
Is this a surface ply only? If so, it may have a resin rich tool side for better cosmetic finish.
This is standard BMS8-79 material and is a solid laminate of 12 plies over a simple contoured 15 sq ft box like mold. We use edge bleeder and a silicone intensifier on the bag side.
It is cured at 45psi autoclave pressure.
So a full glass lay up?
How much resin is bleeding out? Is there porosity through the thickness of the laminate?
I would have to say it is a regular bleedout with N-10 edge bleeder for this thickness of laminate. There is no surface bleed used for this style and there is the intensifier.
The edge looks normal with no porosity as there is an autoclave cure pressure of 45psi.
I still say it has to do with the face of the fabric against the tool. The warp face is smoother, and more resin.
Oh, so the resin is only on one side of the fabric? Ugh, if it’s the same crap I worked with, i’m sorry. It was so tacky on the resin side, gloves would rip off onto it. Have it stick to anything, the piece had to be tossed!
IF that is the case. It shouldn’t matter. In the end, it should all flow everywhere and wet the full laminate/ply out. However, if you put resin side onto the tool…there might be a better shot at it sticking onto the tool some, and less flow into the fabric.
When all else fails…experiment!
RIFF - this is total prepreg and not resin film on one side
I think I am getting at the difference between warp face and fill face in the fabric. The fibers are different on the two sides. Warp face has the primary fiber direction parrell to selvage, and fill face has primary fibers perpendicular to selvage.
In the weaving process the warp fibers are in tension and the fill fibers are woven back and forth and allowed to relax.
The warp side is smoother and fill side has pits…
If I remember correctly it’s an 8 harness weave, so pretty flat. Even with just vacuum and heat, it should produce a nice finish.
What kind of tool surface? What’s the clean and prep process? Release agent?
Big Alum tool with freekote 700 and nice and smooth…