good tip! thanks
I get the picture – but the physics seems off.
While there may be other reasons not to use acetone for thinning - I am not sure all VRTM systems trap it in a closed system.
The Vacuum Pump draws the resin (and whatever is in it) through the reinforcement. The Resin Trap - does that - and traps the resin and heavy particulate. But as the acetone flashes off - or due to its own low partial pressure - it continues through the system to the pump and into your shop. (I’d think this would be an interesting experiment to see when and how that occurs)
I will admit - as the Pump shuts down and the system holds its pressure - you will have a closed system. If the pump is continuous run – you will not.
(BTW - First post - long time resin-ator and lurker here for a bit – not picking a fight or “flaming here”- just pointing out maybe in a “pinch” - I’d bet you’d be ok)
Cheers - Jim
and I do turn my pump off after all the resin has infused the part. So mine would not be able to gas out
Acetone, just like air, will be trapped in a closed system once the bag is fully compacted, the resin will lock any air/gas in its location for the remainder of the cure. Pump running or not. Think of it as 14psi of force in a perfect 360 degree circle. With equal pressure on each side, where can it go?
Resin movement is what drives trapped air/gas out of the lamenant. Once the resin stops, air/gas stops. With the exception of air that is relatively close to the vacuum inlet. Best place to see this happening is in your resin line.
If you thin your resin guaranteed you will have little spheres of permanantly traped acetone in the part, with the exception of open moulds.
Oh, and welcome to the board!
Exactly. If the resin stops moving, so does the mixed in acetone.