Carbon fiber epoxy?

[rickwess]

Back on topic........

I much prefer working with G/Flex for bonding. It's modulus of elasticity is much more than that products like JB Weld. It also has advantages in that it can be tinted (with epoxy tint) and you can use additives (e.g. silica) to make it pretty much any viscosity you want.

[montymike]

Wow I didn't ask the question but have wanted to ask it . Thanks guyse

[siberianhusky]

Gotta see if I can find a local supplier for G/flex, been using JB and West regular epoxy, heard too many good things about this stuff not to try it!

[iridebikes247]

prep is everything. You can have the best epoxy in the world and if the prep isn't done, good luck. Anyway I think thats been established already by others in this thread.

When gluing pieces together always clamp them, don't just sandwich by hand. G-flex has been used by people on here and everyone seems to have fantastic results, definitely worth a try. Depending on how involved you plan to become with boats I really think buying a small west systems kit of 105/207 will make your life easier, the bonding strength is awesome especially when mixed with other things.

--Also when gluing pieces into the hull, be careful of very fast acting epoxy. They tend to get hotter and I've seen transoms get deformed, tunnels, etc because the epoxy cured too fast and actually warped the hull.

[klbo]

What do you do to increase bonding strength

[tlandauer]

Bonding Strength: Surface prep: sanding /roughing and cleaning. Then, as said in the above post: clamp the pieces down. On pieces that I can't do that I make sure the surfaces are at the very least fully seated and enough pressure to ensure the uncured epoxy is not ''PULLED UP" during the process.
You can INCREASE the structural strength by mixing milled FG: http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...od=dh-GPMR6165 or West System's Adhesive filler ( same idea).

[rickwess]

Fumed silica is probably the best additive for increasing strength. You can add it to G/Flex until it's the consistency of a thick peanut butter and then it won't sag while curing.

http://www.compositescanada.com/product-catalog/resins/product/248-cabosil

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/406-colloidal-silica

Before I unmask the areas i didn't want anything on, I use an epoxy brush to smooth things out.

[klbo]

I'm installing 2.5 mm carbon fiber motor mount rails and to secure them to the hull I was going to use 1 inch wide carbon fiber tape laying alongside the motor mount rails on both sides and 105 /207 epoxy

[iridebikes247]

That will work pretty well. I suggest making a thickened epoxy bead, and then taping with carbon fiber tape a few hours later or something.

I say to add the epoxy joint first, as epoxy finds its way into the tightest spots, wheras the cf tape just blankets whats there. Either way, sounds like the motor mount will be in there forever lol

[jcald2000]

Fumed silica is not the best for adding strength! It weakens the epoxy mix, Milled fiberglass is the best for adding strength and thickening the mix to non sagging.