Introduction & General Process

Resin infusion is similar to a standard wet layup in that we have a mold which we place carbon plies onto, except its resin application method is different, and offers key advantages (and some disadvantages) to the layup process. Instead of brushing on a layer of resin, resin infusion uses the vacuum produced during the vacuum bagging process to suck resin into the part. This allows for a more uniform finish, better surface quality, and less resin waste for a better carbon:resin ratio.

The layup process looks like this:

• Lay dry carbon plies over the mold as you would during a wet layup. Spray tack adhesive is used to keep the dry plies in place.

• Once the dry plies are in place, set up the resin infusion lines and vacuum bag the whole thing

• When ready, begin the flow of resin and wait until part is saturated

• Turn off resin lines and allow part to cure in vacuum

Advantages

• Better part quality: A resin infused part will be stronger-since we can calculate and weigh out exactly how much resin we need-and with a better surface finish, without any voids since a full vacuum was achieved before the resin was infused

• Infinite working time: Because we don’t apply the resin until the part has been bagged, we have infinite time to lay up the dry plies. This is great for bigger parts like bodywork, where it can take a few hours to complete a layup]

• Less resin waste: We can calculate exactly how much resin we need, and this way use only what we need.

• Cleaner: It’s cleaner. No more slipping on your knees because there’s resin on the floor. The part quality, too.

Disadvantages

• Complicated process: Needs more parts, expertise in basics like vacuum bagging and dry layups

• Easier to fuck up: Once resin infusion begins, there’s no turning back

Testing

Flat plate

2D Curves

Complex Curves