Filler quantities for reinforcing (cabosil and microballoons)

[chad]

Just placed my order with US composites:

-3 yards 50" 1708 biaxial fiberglass (17oz)
-1 yard 50" red/black carbon/kevlar (5.5oz)
-4 yards 2" carbon tape
-some rollers, brushes, and other misc. items
-1 gallon fast cure epoxy/hardener
-2.5 quarts microballoons
-2.5 quarts aerosil/cabosil

Will put down 1708 for footholds and for sides and bottom of hull and all other reinforcing.... then will put carbon/kevlar over both sides for a little extra reinforcement. I think the carbon/kevlar looks cool too.

When you pour the filler/epoxy/harderer mix into the bondline how much is sitting in there after the pour? Doesn't epoxy get really really hot as it starts reacting with the hardener? I was just a little concerned of how hot it would get as it sits in there.... I plan on filling the bondline, putting the 1708 down, and the carbon/kevlar down on each side all in one step so I dont have to sand....

Eric ,
get the pumps from us composites , if you didnt already , they make thing much easier!

 

[Ericfox]

oh yeah... I did get the pumps... good call though.... I heard the same thing about making it easier... thanks

 

[Ericfox]

Cool.

I was planning on trying a paint tray with the thin plastic liners you can buy in like packs of 10. Hopefully that will work good.

I have been thinking about the order I just placed....I have a black superjet... do you guys think (in your opinion) that the black/red carbon kevlar will look cool? or should I just get all black carbon 2x2 twill.... just looking for another opinion or two before I forget about it and wait for it to show up at my doorstep..

Thanks everyone!

I changed the carbon/kevlar to a regular 2x2 carbon twill.... I ended up thinking that it looked better after all.... that way I won't be limited if I pick colors for other inside components some day... or want it to match some new decals or something... anyhow... thanks for all the help with everything guys. I look forward to doing all this stuff over the holidays.... will help me forget about the COLD.... :biggthumpup:

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Gdfl is pretty much spot on on the epoxy,it is exothermic which means it creates its own heat to cure,Pot life of a large quanity of mixed epoxy and cabosil is nil if left in a cup or similar container,spreading it out helps some ,using slow hardner helps even more,it also depends greatly on the ambient air temperature.