Can Cold Temperatures Improve Vacuum Infusion for Fiberglassing?

[GiTS]

I've been reading up on vacuum infusion for fiberglass. The big problem is getting the resin to flow over a part completely before curing. Viscosity lowering additives can only be used at a minimum due to decreases in the strength that are undesirable. One solution is to heat a slow curing resin to thin it out. But that reduces curing time and it requires a post cure oven curing to fully cure the resin.

I can't find any info on the use of cold temperatures with normal hardening resin. The idea is to use normal resin and hardener, lower their temperature below 60F to increase curing time drastically, and then when the resin is fully infused bring the temperature above 60F and allow to harden normally.

What are the effects of reducing resin temperature on it's physical properties?

 

[Navin A S]

Is there any way to reduce the temperature of a resin and hardener without completely freezing it? And is there any risk in doing this to the part being infused?

 

[oswaler]

I can say that there is limited research on the use of cold temperatures in vacuum infusion for fiberglassing. However, there are several potential effects of reducing resin temperature on its physical properties that should be considered.

Firstly, lowering the temperature of the resin may increase its viscosity, making it more difficult to flow and potentially causing issues with the infusion process. This could result in incomplete infusion and weaker overall strength of the final product.

Additionally, reducing the temperature could also affect the curing process of the resin. Curing is a chemical reaction that is dependent on temperature, and lowering the temperature could slow down or inhibit this reaction. This could lead to a longer curing time and potentially affect the final strength and durability of the fiberglass.

Furthermore, the use of cold temperatures could also impact the resin's ability to bond with the fibers in the fiberglass. This could result in weaker adhesion and potentially affect the overall strength and integrity of the final product.

It is also important to consider the potential risks of using extreme temperatures on the resin. Extreme cold temperatures could cause the resin to become brittle and potentially crack or break, leading to structural issues in the fiberglass.

In conclusion, while the use of cold temperatures in vacuum infusion for fiberglassing may seem like a potential solution to the issue of incomplete infusion, it is important to carefully consider the potential effects on the resin's physical properties and the overall strength and durability of the final product. Further research and testing would be needed to fully understand the impact of cold temperatures on vacuum infusion for fiberglassing.