Anyone here have experience with tooltec film? I’ve been hearing about people using it with machined mdf molds for short run low temp prepregs.
Are you talking about the ptfe coated glass fabric with self adhesive? (Brown in colour)
Yes, airtech product, I guess this could have gone in product talk. I’m not sure if it’s glass reinforced, the stuff I’m thinking of elongates to around 300%. It’s sold as a semi-prem release film
Nate
There are glass reinforced ones, but also non reinforced ones. The USA website has a password on the datasheets. The Luxemburg site does not. (www.airtech.lu, then click products.
I have covered a number of large mdf moulds up to 30 feet with ptfe coated self adhesive sheet. For one off pulls it works ok especialy for flat parts or those with a constant curvature. Any complex curvature and it is very hard to do well and incredibly time consuming.
Pros
Quick to apply to flat surfaces gives a excellent release.
No release residue to contaminate paint system.
Can be layed to achieve a vacuum able surface without sealing the underlying plug/mould.
Cons
Don’t expect a class A finish off it, expect to fill and paint.
You need to be anal about dust and how you stick it down any small speck of dust, crease or crinkle will cause air to be trapped under the film. If heat is used these air pockets expand which can be mirrored in your part.
I have never managed to do multiple releases from it without having to replace areas that have detached from the mdf but I have never sealed mdf which would I expect provide much better adhesion for the adhesive film.
Freeman has it for special order. The non reinforced stuff comes by the 36in x 18 yards.