Any carbon fiber experts out there?

tyler_derden

Getting back to the subject of this thread, I have some questions for anyone EXPERIENCED with vacuum bagging of composite lay-ups.

I have a small diaphragm-type vacuum pump that I plan to use. I selected it over a rotary vane type pump for quiet operation and apparently adequate vacuum draw (22 inHg). The capacity is small, but for small stuff like bike frames I think it will be OK.

Questions:
1) does the pump need to run continuously or can it be turned off after the air has been drawn from the bag?
2) do I need to use a vapor/fume trap at the input side of the pump to protect it from epoxy vapors or is it generally not a problem?
3) what other little pneumatic stuff should I accumulate- valves? gauges, regulators, etc.?
4) can a pressure regulator be used in reverse to regulate vacuum?
5) I will try using a blue foam core at least initially. How does that stuff hold up under vacuum, or does it?

Finally, I was originally thinking that summer would be a better time to work on this stuff, but then I realized that the epoxy won't cure very quickly in cold temperatures, giving more working time. I plan to make a curing "oven" from either blue foam or cardboard boxes and put a heater inside. I figure once the lay-up is done and the bag pumped down and sealed properly I can then put it into the oven to cure. Is this a reasonable approach or am I missing something?

That's all for now...

Thanks,

TD

__________________
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

PaPa

Tyler asked for "EXPERIENCED" help Johnny Nocome... that clearly disqualifies you.

Try these links Tyler:
Jim Scozzafava - www.jjscozzi.com/ (Excellent builder's resource)
Damon Rinard - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/
Portland John http://homepage.mac.com/john4bho/
Benoit - http://users.skynet.be/benoit.dery/