Gurit-SP Resin Infusion Presentation

 

sin n Inf Infus usio ion n Resi

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

Definition… 

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Not easy! (the definition, or the technology!)

“Using vacuum to pull resin into the voids created in a composite component” 

Monolithic

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Core

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Inserts

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Structure

Patent Protection…

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

Com ommo mon n Typ ype es 

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Using a mesh or flow promotion material material placed on the laminate

Using core material to assist flow

Infusion using a flow promoting fabric, which remains integral to the laminate

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

Infusi nfusion on using a flow promoti p romotion on mesh mesh 

The most common system in use

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Provides a consistent, predicable flow front

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Leaks and problems are easily seen

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Compatible with more fabrics ( though some offer better permeability than others) Problems (leaks) can be repaired (even using additional resin/vacuum sources if really necessary) Mesh and resin included are both removed and are scrap Labour intensive to apply consumables Difficulty in ensuring flow is reaching opposite side of laminate stack Often also requires core cuts to provide flow to both skins in sandwich infusion

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

The Pr i nc ncii pl ple e… Infusion medium Vacuum Outlet

Dry Fabric Fabric Stack Stack (includi (incl uding ng core cor e if required) requir ed) Resi Re sin n Inlet

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

The Pr i nc ncii pl ple e… Infusion medium Vacuum Outlet

Dry Fabric Fabric Stack Stack (includi (incl uding ng core cor e if required) requir ed) Resi Re sin n Inlet

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

The Pr i nc ncii pl ple e… Infusion medium Vacuum Outlet

Dry Fabric Fabric Stack Stack (includi (incl uding ng core cor e if required) requir ed) Resi Re sin n Inlet

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

The Pr i nc ncii pl ple e… Infusion medium Vacuum Outlet

Dry Fabric Fabric Stack Stack (includi (incl uding ng core cor e if required) requir ed) Resi Re sin n Inlet

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

The Pr i nc ncii pl ple e… Infusion medium Vacuum Outlet

Dry Fabric Fabric Stack Stack (includi (incl uding ng core cor e if required) requir ed) Resi Re sin n Inlet

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

Infus nfusion ion using us ing a core 

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Uses a cut pattern in the core materials to provide resin flow Becoming more common, mainly in applications where weight is non-critical Flow front front is invis invisible ible - diffi difficult cult to to see problems Problems are very difficult to repair during the infusion Changes in core cut, incorrect placement or misalignment can greatly affect the flow  All additional resin used in flow promotion remains in the component 

 Additional weight

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Effect on mechanical properties

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Effect on print on coated structures

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Does not use additional consumables

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

Infus nfusion ion usin u sing g a flow re reinf inforc orce eme ment nt fabric 

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Generally specifically designed very open weave fabrics (sometimes 3 dimensional) which allow resin to move through the component Easier to apply than a core, and integral unlike mesh  Adds considerable considerable weight weight to the componen componentt  Alters mechanical mechanical properties properties - creating a very resin rich band through the laminate Change permeability on corners, bridges etc Does not comply with core materials very well – often requires the addition addition of the “core cut” cut” infusion policy also

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

Its Be B enefit nefits: s: 

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 Allows fast lamination of multiple plies and often core materials in one process (no debulking) Often uses less consum consumables ables than a wet-l wet-lamina aminate te vacuum consolidated component Is a very clean process (or should be…)  Allows the use of standard curing resins as opposed to hot-melt technology (prepreg, SPRINT) Does not require a complex oven to cure (though often requires some heat) Uses generally genera lly standar standard d fabrics fabrics – though caref careful ul selection required

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

Its Be B enefit nefits: s: 

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Gives Giv es a ver very y good good Vf – typ typica ically lly 0.5 0.58-0 8-0.68 .68 wit with h E-gl E-glass ass Gives lower void contents (1% average achievable) Repeatable Repea table proce process ss – times times,, weights weights and qualit quality y Laminates can be redesigned to accommodate higher obtainable properties Epoxy infusion reduces exotherm and high cure temperatures from ester resins

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Low shrinkage capability from epoxy gives less fabric

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print, less core print, reduced finishing No styrene (Poly/Vinyl infusion resins are 55%+ styrene

 

Resi sin n Inf Infus usio ion n 

But… 

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Is can be be seen as a high risk risk technology technology – comple complete te success success or complete failure… High cost of waste resin in consumables Requires careful setup, and trained operators to design an infusion strategy that will work Infusion laminates will be thinner than those designed in wet laminated lamina ted engineering engineering – typica typically lly 10-15% thickne thickness ss reduction reduction Generally a heated cure will be needed (though this does not need to be high temperature and can be as simple as a heat blower and polythene tent) Positioning and consolidating plies and core can be difficult, especially with high numbers of plies

 

Be Bene nefits fits of epoxy epoxy in Infusi Infusion on 

MECHANICAL 

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ILSS Shrinkage – Epoxy shrinkage (2%) is far lower than Vinyl Vinyl or Vinyl ester (8%) Emissions Str tra ain Capabil Capabilit ity y  – Epoxy (8-9%) Vinyl (3-4%) Fibe iberr Volume Fra raction ction  – Emphasis on ILSS Long Lo ng Gel Time Tim es

 

Be Bene nefi fits ts of Epo poxy xy in Infu nfusi sion on 

PROCESSING 

Epoxy viscosity is consistent

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Infusion processing highlights the control of exotherm

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Epoxy allow allows s optimisat optimisation ion of cure cure cycles cycles – infusi infusion on at elevated temperature can allow faster curing and postcu pos tcurin ring g – whi whilst lst ret retain aining ing wor workab kable le res resin in pro proper pertie ties s

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Removal of CFM/CSM from designs removes resin-rich areas which cause higher shrinkage and have structurally poor properties

 

Usin sing g Infu Infusi sion on 

Planni lanning ng and De Desi sign gnin ing g 

Software and modelling

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Independent consultants

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Offer planning services for design of infusion, layout of consumables

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Can sometimes model where resin will flow and when

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The requirement for these can often be superseded by some basic training in infusion systems

 

Usin sing g Infu Infusi sion on 

Guri uritt Infu Infusio sion n Te Techn chnolo ology gy 

We can assist on infusion setup, layout and specification of materials 

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Based on experience from many infusion project on components from 1lb to 5500lb in every market Internal testing on flow, fabric selection, resin use

We cannot cannot provide provide a “guara “guarantee” ntee” for infusio infusions, ns, but but the composite processing team are there to provide support at every step  A range of consumables – valves, etc and suppliers 

These are not the cheapest cheapest but they are tried and tested tested and flow is well understood using–them

 

Summary 

So… So … 

Infusion can provide very high quality components with excellent

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mechanical properties Once implemented, the process is very repeatable

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Improves health and safety, working environment and quality

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control Requires some development and some commitment to a “stepup”” in te up tech chno nolo logy gy

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Ideally implemente Ideally implemented d on “new” proje projects cts where where the component component can be optimised optimised for the process process (and (and tooling) tooling) , though “retrofi “retrofitting tting”” is possible Makes a significa significant nt step up the technolo technology gy ladder ladder – but benefits benefits of Prepreg/SPRINT above infusion…. can start to make them only a small step