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Solid-core, vacuum infusion, and reduced finishing

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Vigilant1

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
10,596
Location
US
So, I solicit input on an idea, recognizing the unlikelihood that a "new way" will be a "better way."

What if we used a standard solid-core wing form (with spar built-in, per Rutan), and took a lot of pains to get it very smooth. Add our glass or carbon layers dry, put a sheet of "semi-rigid" material on top (e.g. polyethylene of about 1-2mm, "milk-jug thickness"), and did regular vacuum infusion (resin in, resin out, under vacuum). Hoped-for advantages/results:
1) A uniform layup with a high glass-resin ratio and no/minimal voids (high strength, low weight)
2) Like all vacuum infusion, plenty of time to get the reinforcing layers "just right" without the time pressure of epoxy that is setting up.
3) Exterior surface smooth and free of weave, requiring very little filling. Flat, due to care taken with male mold and the "smoothing" of the semi-rigid sheeting on top.

I don't know what type of filler would be best on top of the foam as a filler in order to get it as smooth as possible. I also don't know if this method would cope with the high spots where glass layers are doubled at the edges.

Is this method already used? Ridiculous??
 
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