Can you do vacuum infusion with silmar 249? Maybe add a little styrene. Seems like the best most clear for carbon fiber. Should I add wax or spray a top coat with wax after the parts is done?
Silmar 249 is a polyester hand laminating resin. I would choose either an epoxy or vinyl ester resin specifically formulated for infusion. Most resin companies and distributors would be more than happy to discuss your application and point you toward one of their products. I would compare using PE resin with carbon fiber to putting low octane gas in a Ferrari, it will work but not allow it to perform at its full potential.
I’ve used it before in an infusion on some carbon/ kevlar hybrid simply because it’s ultra clear. It wasn’t easy and I had to use a squegee on the bag to push the resin around, but the part came out looking awesome. Not sure if it can be thinned with styrene.
Buying from US Composites and Fiberglast. Vinylester resin looks to not be clear? perhaps layin some 249 dry then infuse with ve?
Infusion with a thixotropic resin is virtually impossible.
Thanks for the replys. I switched to Fiberglasts System 2000 Epoxy Resin with a 2 hour hardener.
I am thinking about using Silmar 249 letting it cure and infusing the carbon fiber with the epoxy resin. Fiberglast said that is ok. Thoughts?
Silmar 249 is polyester, right? I think the chance that it works is very limited.
It is a poly. If that wont work, how does one get a nice clear uv resitant clear coat that can be polished and buffed. I know people suggest automotive clear and I can use that. I just feel I am thinking ahead enough something else will be better.
Uh oh, you discovered one of the problems with epoxy.
With epoxy, it is quite hard to achieve a good surface with a minimum of work.
Available options:
Paint the product afterwards.
-labour intensive
-expensive paint
Use an epoxy based gelcoat:
-not completely UV resistant
-relatively short overcoat window in which you should apply following layers (adhesion)
Use an in mould coating:
-relatively short overcoat window
Use epoxy compatible polyester gelcoat:
-not completely water resistant
Use normal polyester gelcoat:
-needs a polyester or vinylester skin coat, with peelply. Removing peelply is a bit critical (prerelease).
-heavy
I just listed the disadvantages. There are also advantages with every system of course.
Looks like a lot of people are having good luck with spraying PPG Deltron DC3000 in the mold, letting it cure and then infusing. Make sense?