Woven fabric in plastic film.

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

An odd request but I would like to produce flexible carbon fibre sheet that I would imagine would be encapsulate in some sort of plastic film.

Something like the offering at EasyComposites, however not sticky-back. I just want to aesthetically encapsulate the fabric. http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/images/products/large/flexible-alufibre-sheet.jpg

How would you do this? Is there film that can be purchased that sticks to the carbon fibre or do I hot laminate between a pouch and cut to size?

Many thanks!

#2

If you just want the same as that Easy Composites image, I’ve got to think that they have just applied a sticker sheet (Contact book covering, etc.) to the back of that material so it keeps shape and doesn’t fray as easily?

If you want both sides visible I suppose you could cast it in some kind of flexible resin/rubber/etc.?

Or maybe even spray a 2k clear coat direct on the fabric? 2k paint is very flexible. But of course it depends on just how flexible you want it to be?

#3

I want this as well… There is a company out there that makes fabrics of carbon with a flexible matrix. I had heard that lamborgini was making seats from this material and there is a company making bag.

I was thinking of messing with this concept… maybe using some clear urethane. Not sure how to do it but would be a good technique to have.

I had tried to contact the manufacturer of the fabric, but I guess they don’t respond to any inquiries.

#4

That’s probably the worst name ever for a bag! LOL

#5

Hi, you can use an epoxy resin with a flexibilizer additive, commonly up to 10% , It will became like a clear gum

#6

Do you know what that stuff is called and where to look for it?

And yah… that name is lame… it kinda makes me think it’s BS.

#7

Douchebags are a legit bag making company from Norway. Very good marketing, you guys might not like the name but their target market is primarily snowboarders and skiers, who tend to find such alternative things appealing…

#8

I guess it takes one to buy one… hhehehe… maybe that term is just an american thing though?

The bags do look sweet but, that name pretty much kills it for americans. You might as well wear shirts that say xxx or wear kick me signs.

I’m still interested in this process of making carbon that is flexible as such.

#9

You can use almost any clear film, or elastomer. DuPont’s Surlyn is a clear and very flexible film. Some urethanes might be clear as well. Vinyl is popular as well, since it is clear and soft.
The problem you WILL GET, is having the fabric infuse well. But with enough pressure, you can get some impregnation, and after that, just make sure the ends are sewn well, to avoid the fibers from peeling out of the plastic.

As for solution coating, you can try to solvent various plastics. Again, urethane can be liquid solvent based. Silicone as well maybe, but that is expensive.

#10

Iron on vinyl is available at many fabric stores. It is easy to use and looks pretty good.

#11

Lol, I googled Surlyn and immediately thought of reusable vac bags.

#12

I’ll add my own findings…

I have attempted to ‘laminate’ CF with sign making vinyl as per the original thread post. The result is that although the vinyl has encapsulated the CF creating a flexible sheet, the aesthetics are poor.

Woven material is clearly not flat, therefore there are peaks on the material that are contact with the vinyl and troughs were they are not. When light shines off the sheet, the peaks and trough are visible, and it’s not visually pleasing.

I believe the only way would be to liquid laminate to ensure the resultant sheet it perfectly flat. Would a traditional hot lamination machine achieve this … maybe…

#13

Lax, how did you do the vinyl sheet? Just bag the sandwich, or did you have it on a flat mold surface?
Even liquid will take the shape of the fabric on the bag side. You need a good flat mold to get a smooth side.

#14

and slimjim wrappers!!! Lordy, there are so many Surlyn products, it’s not even funny. It’s used for everything it seems!

#15

I put the single piece of fabric on on a plastic cutting sheet, and cold ‘rolled’ the vinyl onto fabric. I did this each side to ‘laminate’ the fabric.

The vinyl was self-adhesive on one side (sign making vinyl). Are you suggesting applying vacuum? That’s interesting but I don’t think the vinyl will conform over such small distances (the unit weave of the fabric). You’re still going to get the ‘peaks and troughs’ in the laminate.

#16

Ah, adhesive on the film. Ok. i get what you did now. Not sure if vac bagging would really DO much in that case. it still might push down the bag side, onto the mold side, and then keep some of the flatness of the mold side, as the adhesive sets.

or try heating it up to the softening temp in the oven under vacuum.

#17

My first try would be to use a clear, two-part linear polyurethane varnish. You could dip, if able try to calendar, or if truly necessary try to roller coat or even brush on (over a glass substrate). Pretty low viscosity, so it should wet out your fabric okay. It may be best to use multiple thin coats, each applied after the previous one has gelled or even longer (overnight would be best if you have the patience).

You should be able to find Interlux PerfectionPlus LPU varnish at any consumer marine supply store (or in “YachtySnotty Speak,” a chandlery). There are also on-line marine supply stores, such as Defender www.defender.com and West Marine, www.westmarine.com (aka “Worst Marine” in some circles). There are others. Google is your friend.

An idiosyncratic opportunity, but one that seems reliable in my past dealings (once I have been able to navigate through a truly arcane web site) is www.epoxyproducts.com/lpu.html - in Maine, of all places. Good prices, good service in my experience. Pretty good epoxy for hand layups, bonding and coating needs; not the choice for infusion - not really good low viscosity resins.

#18

http://shop1.r-g.de/item/130140

they sell flexibilizer additive for epoxy here for few dollars,

#19

What? Not quite sure I get your meaning? :confused:

I do need to get some of these chemicals for some testing though.