Composiflex uses "Hand Lay Up" for two main processes: Pre-Preg/Autoclave and Wet Lay Up.
The term "Lay Up" also refers to the combination of materials that are inserted into molds for
Resin Infusion and Resin Transfer Molding.
Pre-Preg/Autoclave
Pre-Preg composites (cloth with pre-impregnated resin), core materials,
and other materials are combined in a Lay Up that is processed in a mold and typically a
vacuum bag in the Autoclave process. See the Autoclave Process details for more information
on this process.
Wet Lay Up
Dry composite cloth is inserted in an open (one sided) mold and treated with
liquid (wet) resins. Can build up part thickness with fabric and mat materials. This is normally
an open mold process meaning the materials are exposed to open air during the process.
Typically use room-temperature cure resins. Wet Lay Up is normally used in lower performance
applications. Vacuum bagging and/or oven post-curing can be used with this process to
produce higher performance parts.
Typical Applications
Cowlings, some aircraft components, prototypes of several types of applications. Can be used to manufacture large structures.
Wet Lay Up Advantages
- Low capital investment in equipment
- Raw materials are easy to use
- Flexible orientation of fibers
- Can be used to produce low cost prototypes
Wet Lay Up Disadvantages
- Labor Intensive: may not be suitable for high volume applications
- Open Molding: resin emissions must be managed
- Lower fiber fraction than Pre-Preg processes