Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => GRP & Epoxy => Topic started by: hydrobob on November 13, 2012, 10:13:52 am

Title: Polyester resin & carbon fibre
Post by: hydrobob on November 13, 2012, 10:13:52 am

Having used carbon fibre cloth/balsa laminated with epoxy resin in a previous life building conpetition model aeroplanes I want to use the same carbon fibre to strengthen a (very) small hydro hull. For this I intend to use polyester resin for bonding but I have a niggling feeling that I've read somewhere there is a problem with the polyester/cf wetting coverage.
Advice please.
Uneasy Bob

Title: Re: Polyester resin & carbon fibre
Post by: Subculture on November 13, 2012, 02:28:41 pm

It's generally recommended to use epoxy resin- you get the best performance from the laminate that way, and epoxy is slightly thinner than polyester usually.

However you can use polyester resin okay, go for it.

Title: Re: Polyester resin & carbon fibre
Post by: hydrobob on November 13, 2012, 04:31:00 pm

Going to try it this evening. One of the reasons I asked was that I've got loads of polyester and I've run out of epoxy!

Thanks
Skinflint Bob

Title: Re: Polyester resin & carbon fibre
Post by: tmbc on November 28, 2012, 07:29:46 pm

if you find your resin to think thin it down !
mark

Title: Re: Polyester resin & carbon fibre
Post by: martno1fan on December 09, 2012, 10:34:29 am

Polyester works fine with carbon fibre its no different than using any other cloth i use it all the time,if your resin is thick put it somewhere warm before you mix it.
Mart

Title: Re: Polyester resin & carbon fibre
Post by: hydrobob on December 09, 2012, 11:46:30 am

I've done the job now and can confirm that it works ok. Project has now stalled as all funds (ha ha) are being directed to an AA class BMPRS boat. However i will be doing some experiments on various laminate combinations in the near future.
HB