In resin infusion, technique is everything
Resin infusion makes creating complex structures simpler, more cost-effective, stronger, lighter and more durable.
Resin infusion has many applications from superyacht decks to lightweight furniture, structural components to world record holding race boats.
Benefits of using resin infusion include:
• Extremely low void content
• Minimal resin consumption
• High fibre volumes
• Complete, cored laminates created in a single process
• Reduced technician manufacturing hours
• Lower cost of materials (compared with Sprint and pre preg)
• Improved interlaminate sheer
• Cosmetic finishes can be applied in-mould
• Pin hole free laminate surfaces
• Reduced finishing requirements
• Weight-saving
Laminates manufactured by resin infusion have extremely low void content and a very high fibre volume. An epoxy – e glass or carbon laminate would typically be in excess of 60% fibre volume.
The resin infusion process works by using the pressure differential between the atmosphere and an extremely high vacuum. Normal air pressure hovers around 1000 millibars; we acheive a vacuum of as high as seven millibars. While achieving a high vacuum is important, the crucial decision of when to infuse comes from the "drop test". This check shows the loss of vacuum suffered when the component and vacuum bag are isolated from the pump. We work on a principal of not accepting more than one millibar per minute rise for large infusions over 200kg.
The quality of our laminates is further improved by de-gassing the resin prior to the infusion by placing the mixed resin in a vacuum chamber which removes any bubbles created through the mixing process, eliminating pin holes.
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