Vacuum infusion,
also called resin infusion, utilizes
a vacuum bag to debulk or compact
a parts complete laminate ply schedule
of reinforcements and or core materials
laid onto the mold. After debulking,
the resin is allowed to be infused
by the vacuum to completely wetout
the reinforcements and eliminate
all air voids in the laminate structure.
High quality composite parts made
from a wide range of fiber and resin
combinations can be utilized to
infuse laminates up to six inches
thick. Typical resins used are polyester,
vinyl ester, and epoxy with many
being UV cure initiated. This process
can routinely produce large 2,000
sq. ft. parts such as boat hulls,
bus bodies, and railcar panels.
This processes added benefits include
eliminating weaker secondary bonds
and reduced VOC emissions vs. current
open molding processes. Pigmented
gel coats provide the parts surface
finish and often a hand lay-up skin
laminate may be fabricated to allow
fabricators to walk on gel coated
surface while loading the dry reinforcement
laminate ply schedule and vacuum
bag.
