Infusion

The infusion process is widely used in the nautical, wind power and tooling industries.

Infusion is generally implemented for series production of very large parts. It is used to produce monolithic or sandwich parts.

The infusion technique offers the following advantages compared with contact moulding:

• Better fibre ratio (60 % against 40 % for contact).
• "One shot" manufacture of large parts.
• Reproducibility of parts during manufacture.
• Reduced operator exposure to emissions of solvents such as styrene (VOC standards).

Various matrices such as polyester, vinylester and epoxy can be used with this technology. The difficulties encountered include lay-up of constituents, the infusion process (vacuum and infusion lines) as well as managing the procedure to slow down resin pouring during infusion.

No major investments are required for the tooling.