Kodiak
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| posted on 9/4/06 at 11:31 AM |
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Moulding Carbon Fibre
Has anyone any information on a moulding method refered to as lost wax moulding (as opposed to casting). From what I understand it uses a single time
mould that is made out of wax. As it is melted off of the laminated component it has no relaease problems and can be used for extremely complex shapes
that can not be done with a normal female mould.
Question I have is what sort of wax is used and is there any pre lay up treatment of the wax needed. I have only found 1 local company that does this
and they guard the how to like a state secret.
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Hammerhead
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| posted on 9/4/06 at 11:55 AM |
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Usually with this method, for making carbon fibre shapes you would use foam that product designers use.
So you would make a male shape out of the foam then lay up the carbon over it. Use peel ply to get a flatter surface finish.
Then you melt the foam using thinners etc. This is the 'lost wax' part of the process. Its different to lost wax casting of metals etc
because carbon fibre is not like a fluid.
Hope this makes sense.
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Hammerhead
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| posted on 9/4/06 at 12:10 PM |
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http://www.favonius.com/soaring/lost_foam/lost_foam.htm
Above link is to a lost foam process.
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Kodiak
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| posted on 10/4/06 at 07:47 AM |
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Thanks, was definetly a wax female mould but the method in the link looks interesting as well...food for thought.
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