Flexible composites?

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

I dont think there is any such thing, but wonder if anyone has ever heard of a composite system of any kind, that could be used to produce fenders for old off-road motorcycles?

The orginals were plastic injection moulded, but the tooling costs for this are very considerable, and the finish on vacuum formed parts, leaves a lot to be desired over that of the original items.

Saw some Japanese made fibreglass fenders today, and finish was very good, but obviously they couldnt be used on a bike being used for competition, as they would break if subjected to anything more than a smallish impact.

TIA

Chris

#2

We make Nascar Mini Stock racing body parts in the classroom (can’t help it, I also race them too…) the Sat. night local circle track racing where “rubbing is the normal”!

We were very fortunate to have www.RevChem.com plastics to donate some PER Flex resin which we add a small pump squirt into a large cup of PER gel coat & lamination resin for a great stiff finish part but with lots of flex for those rubbin’ incidents. It wil flex and not crack and break!

I have not tried to use it on CF yet…

#3

Thanks…I have some flex additive for PER, and will give it a try. Should probably make things better than using just std laminating resin, but unlikely to be flexible enough to compare with injection moulded plastic.

Chris

#4

I did some test panels with 100% and it was really flexible!:eek:

#5

you can get carbon and fiberglass pretty flexible, This sample is 1 layer carbon 5 layers of 4oz fiberglass fabric. I used just some PER that I got as a sample but their is quite a few really flexible pers out their. Most resin manufactures make some

#6

Very interesting…looks as though it might be possible to make fenders for off-road bikes, that are pretty flexible!

Chris

#7

DT: Hummmm… 4 oz fiberglass, where did you get that from? :rolleyes:

Also, someone needs to take the trash out :o…with these heat generating materials we use, there’s always a fire hazard.

Did you lay the FG all in the same direction or 0, -45, +45 and 90 degree? That can have some extra give and take too.

#8

the glass was laid all in the same direction and as far as the trash, that pic was taken at 10 am and that is what we just compiled that morning :slight_smile: We end up having to take it out 2 or 3 times a day tring to put used bags and peel ply and such in their