Day 4 - Resin Infusion, Better Materials = Better Processes

We always enjoy trying out new products & processes here at ACT. Resin Infusion is one of our favourite courses to instruct as the hands-on exercises produce some fun & funny results. One point comes across clearly, the best infusion products produce the best overall results for the process.

In a recent exercise of resin infusing 2 X 2 Twill sheets of carbon fibre, backed up with 9 oz. PW glass fibre, we experimented with using various new infusion flow mesh and release film combinations manufactured by AIRTECH Advanced Materials Group.

We tested our infusions during our training courses using combinations of AIRTECH’s Knitflow 160?, Flowlease 75?, Flowlease 160?, Flowrunner – KF 160? and Flowstrip 2”?.

In each case, the resin infusions worked perfectly. Infusion times were as predicted with no void content, resin starvation (dry spots) or ‘stalling’ of the resin flow. All flow mediums are released with ease! With no print-through on the tool surface or bonding of the flow mesh to the fibre. The finished Carbon/Glass sheets were then milled on our CNC into ACT Coffee Coasters for our trainees.

There are so many factors & variables that lead up to a successful infusion. These include fibre weave style, resin/tool temperature, vacuum manifold locations, flow meshes, vacuum/pressure differential, etc., etc., etc... But the use of high-quality materials is imperative to 'getting it right the first time'.