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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    234

    How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    been google but not found the best way with free bubble/air.

    all I need is how to make 5x5inch with 3mm thick of carbon fiber sheet with Glossy on both sides.

    I can not find the free air/bubble DIY but pressing with 2 glasses.

    anyone done this before ? specially without vacuum investment.

    thank you

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Clamp it between two pieces of MDF and use some mylar sheets on the MDF to give you the smooth finish.
    Gerry

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    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    234

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    Clamp it between two pieces of MDF and use some mylar sheets on the MDF to give you the smooth finish.
    Done that with 2 thick glass, but there is some tiny bubble/air inside.


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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    419

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    If you really cannot get some kind of vacuum, I' d try using a roller, with the cloth between two plastic sheets, then peeling one layer away to add more epoxy on top, then refold the plastic over it and role some more.

    Hopefully the epoxy helps to squeeze out the bubbles?

    Then leave to cure between the two pieces of mdf.
    Sven
    http://www.puresven.com/?q=building-cnc-router

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Try warming with each layer with a heat gun, adding one layer at a time, then heat to get rid of bubbles.
    But without vacuum, it may not be possible to remove all the bubbles.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    234

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Well the air is trapped in the middle when I cut the cf.
    I was searching youtube and find light RTM.
    It's a vacuum and injection resin to a mold.
    Anyone experience with that ?


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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Look into vacuum infusion.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    234

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    Look into vacuum infusion.
    Vacuum infusion is only 1 sided glossy, can not find with both sided glossy finish


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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    102

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Calico

    I have just seen this thread, it is quite possible to get a pit free finish without vacuum.

    Get two sheets of aluminium a bit larger than your desired sheet size, layup the carbon fibre with your resin and place substantial clamping pressure, you really cannot get too much pressure, I would say that at least 5 big G clamps would be required.

    You need substantial plates to avoid deformation under clamping, I do this for a living so know it will work.

    Bazzer
    Barrie @ Composite Specialities Ltd. using BobCAD V29 Mill 3 axis Pro, Geomagic Design, Bricscad V16 and MOI V3

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    683

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Just buy a piece. I have some scrap floating around here.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    30

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Just pass over this thread.. Actually, all carbon fiber hood or container or anythig acting as fairing : they have pinhole. A vacuum infusion will let you make a pristine and structural part. But without mold.. and without vacuum result are just more resin rich.
    But the trick is to put extra layer of clear coat over. And at the end, all pinhole will be filled and you will have an ultra glossy side.

    For both, same could be done, but the fabric finish might be a challenge depending which one you had used to built up your layup.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Posts
    24

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Buy a $20 hand held pump or make your own for less. http://www.instructables.com/id/make-a-manual-vacuum-pump-for-under-$20-by-convert/

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    30

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    In fact, a vacuum level is very logarithmic.. So a 20 buck pump will give you about nothing.. same a using an air compressor..
    A full high level 2 stage will bring you at -29.7inHg. with a small 1hp Gast, you will get about -27. and a 1/3 .. 1/4 it will be at -21 around.

    You will still be resin rich. Still better than a wet layup, but not the best. Over cnc , for cutting, you will got the same result,.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    683

    Re: How to make Carbon fiber sheet ?

    Make two thin sheets on glass then bond the backs together.

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