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VIDEO TUTORIAL

USED IN THIS PROJECT

Although not necessarily an exhaustive list, the following tools and materials, supplied by Easy Composites, were used in this project.

The quantity shown below is the approximate amount used in the project rounded up to the nearest available kit size or quantity.

INFUSION EQUIPMENT & CONSUMABLES
Tee Hose Connector 6mm Thumbnail
PA-THC-6Tee Hose Connector 6mm£0.96 /each

6mm ID Budget PVC Vacuum Hose 5m Thumbnail
VH-PVC6-56mm ID Budget PVC Vacuum Hose 5m£5.95 /pack

Resin Infusion Silicone Connector Thumbnail
RI-SCVResin Infusion Silicone Connector£3.25 /each

EC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + European Lead Thumbnail
VP-EC4-EUEC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + European Lead£269.50 /each

EC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + UK Lead Thumbnail
VP-EC4-UKEC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + UK Lead£269.50 /each

VB160 Vacuum Bagging Film LFT (1520mm) Linear Metres Thumbnail
AFVB160-152LFTVB160 Vacuum Bagging Film LFT (1520mm) Linear Metres£2.00 /linear metre

MVL Economy Microporous Vacuum Line Thumbnail
MP-MVLMVL Economy Microporous Vacuum Line£2.50 /linear metre

Resin Infusion Spiral Standard Flow 10m Coil Thumbnail
RISP-M-10Resin Infusion Spiral Standard Flow 10m Coil£3.50 /pack

PP180 Economy Peel Ply Black Tracer (1520mm) 5m Folded Pack Thumbnail
AFPP180-152-5PKPP180 Economy Peel Ply Black Tracer (1520mm) 5m Folded Pack£10.00 /pack

ST150 Vacuum Bagging Sealant Tape 15m Each Thumbnail
VBST150ST150 Vacuum Bagging Sealant Tape 15m Each£5.50 /roll

FM100 Infusion Mesh (1050mm) 5m Folded Pack Thumbnail
AFFM100-105-5PKFM100 Infusion Mesh (1050mm) 5m Folded Pack£12.00 /pack

CP1 Resin Infusion Catch-Pot 1.2L Thumbnail
RICP-P-SCP1 Resin Infusion Catch-Pot 1.2L£79.95 /each

Vac Checker® Precision Digital Vacuum Gauge Thumbnail
VE-VCGVac Checker® Precision Digital Vacuum Gauge£190.75 /each

SQUEEZEE Professional Infusion Line Clamp 15mm Thumbnail
RI-SQLC-15SQUEEZEE Professional Infusion Line Clamp 15mm£20.95 /each

Total £0.00
MATERIALS FOR THE BOAT
360g 2x2 Twill Flax Fibre Cloth (1000mm) Thumbnail
FF-22-360-100360g 2x2 Twill Flax Fibre Cloth (1000mm)£21.95 /linear metre

IB2 Epoxy Infusion Bio Resin 5kg Thumbnail
EP-IB2-5IB2 Epoxy Infusion Bio Resin 5kg£87.70 /kit

XCR Epoxy Coating Resin 1Kg Kit Thumbnail
EP-XCR-1XCR Epoxy Coating Resin 1Kg Kit£26.50 /kit

25mm 300g Black Aramid Flat Braid (Seam Tape) Thumbnail
KFB-BLK-2525mm 300g Black Aramid Flat Braid (Seam Tape)£5.30 /linear metre

End Grain Balsa Core T=6.4mm, 1220 x 610mm Thumbnail
EGB-6.4-074End Grain Balsa Core T=6.4mm, 1220 x 610mm£19.30 /sheet

Total £0.00
ANCILLARIES
CR1 Easy-Lease Chemical Release Agent - 250ml Thumbnail
CR1-025CR1 Easy-Lease Chemical Release Agent - 250ml£10.00 /pack

FUSIONFIX™ GP2 General Purpose Composites Spray Adhesive 500ml Thumbnail
FF-GP2FUSIONFIX™ GP2 General Purpose Composites Spray Adhesive 500ml£14.50 /each

Total £0.00

VIDEO TUTORIAL

Resin Infusion of a 16' Flax Fibre, Balsa and Bio-Resin Canoe

In this composites training video, we continue to explore the topic of more sustainable materials in composites by building a full scale (5m/16') adventure canoe, dubbed the 'Flaxplorer', using flax fibre, balsa wood and an epoxy bio resin using the resin infusion process.

The video focusses on the lamination and infusion of the flax and core but includes fitting out the boat with gunwales, seats and yoke to result in a beautiful, lightweight boat with a reduced environmental footprint.

What you will learn

  • Establishing suitable layup with core materials based on cross section laminate
  • Patterning for a symmetrical mould
  • Preparing the edges of a core material with a chamfered edge
  • Laying up the reinforcement and the requirements for flax infusion
  • Where to position vacuum lines and resin feeds
  • Running the infusion itself
  • Coating with XCR and adding wear strips

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

With the ever-present push towards sustainability and reducing carbon footprint, this project blends the performance of composite engineering with natural materials to produce something that has the inherent properties of a composite construction and also naturally beautiful.

Natural fibres such as flax and hemp have been used as a natural textile for centuries and can be used as a sustainable alternative glass fibre and other reinforcement. The design of the balsa core material not only make is fantastic for resin infusion, but the end grain structure produces some of the highest strength to weight values of any of our core materials.

Resin infusion is a sophisticated technique for manufacturing high performance, void free composites even on large moulds such as this 16ft canoe. The bio infusion resin allows for the production of high grade quality mouldings whilst reducing its reliance on petrochemical derivatives.

Combining all of these materials and techniques have allowed us to make something that not only rivals a traditional fibreglass construction in terms of weight and performance but with less environmental impact. Not only that, but the unique colour and effect from the natural fibres allows for something that we think is truly stunning.


DISCUSSION (5)

Please share any questions or comments you may have about this video tutorial.


Sam
Hi, boat looks great, how does the stiffness, weight and longevity compare to a similar build of carbon fibre, foam core and epoxy resin.
Easy CompositesCarl

Without a doubt, you could build a lighter and stiffer boat from carbon fibre and a foam core. However, ultimate performance wasn't really the target of this project. Our aim was to align the characteristics somewhere around what you would expect from a fibreglass canoe, whilst demonstrating the range and performance of our more eco conscious range of products. 


Basub
Why did you choose balsa core instead foam core?
Easy CompositesWarren

For both its environmental credentials and performance. Balsa is both more environmentally friendly than plastic based cores yet performs very well so is not really a compromise mechanically.


maxnits
Is it viable to save on cost and use wet lamination instead of infusion for a project that requires making long tubular shape?
Easy CompositesWarren

Although these natural fibres can be wet laid, they tend to swell when not under vacuum which increases thickness and uses more resin. Vacuum based processes like infusion minimise this.


Hallk
Truly impressive build of a great looking canoe. I'm curious as to how hemp fibre would compare to flax fibre for this type of use.
Easy CompositesWarren

Certainly hemp fibre has very similar properties in many ways so no specific reason why you could not make a similar Canoe using hemp based fibres.


Jaen F
Instead of applying the balsa core to the whole of the bottom, could you not have just gone down the keel like you did on the "lightweight" sample and then add balsa ribs to add stiffness?
Easy CompositesWarren

With a bit of further experimentation it may well be possible to further reduce the balsa bottom in the way you suggest. Our experience of this canoe was that the balsa base helped with overall stiffness.

LEAVE A COMMENT OR QUESTION

Note: Your name will be abbreviated and your email address will only be used to email you the answer directly

USED IN THIS PROJECT

Although not necessarily an exhaustive list, the following tools and materials, supplied by Easy Composites, were used in this project.

The quantity shown below is the approximate amount used in the project rounded up to the nearest available kit size or quantity.

INFUSION EQUIPMENT & CONSUMABLES
Tee Hose Connector 6mm Thumbnail
PA-THC-6Tee Hose Connector 6mm£0.96 /each

6mm ID Budget PVC Vacuum Hose 5m Thumbnail
VH-PVC6-56mm ID Budget PVC Vacuum Hose 5m£5.95 /pack

Resin Infusion Silicone Connector Thumbnail
RI-SCVResin Infusion Silicone Connector£3.25 /each

EC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + European Lead Thumbnail
VP-EC4-EUEC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + European Lead£269.50 /each

EC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + UK Lead Thumbnail
VP-EC4-UKEC4 Compact Composites Vacuum Pump + UK Lead£269.50 /each

VB160 Vacuum Bagging Film LFT (1520mm) Linear Metres Thumbnail
AFVB160-152LFTVB160 Vacuum Bagging Film LFT (1520mm) Linear Metres£2.00 /linear metre

MVL Economy Microporous Vacuum Line Thumbnail
MP-MVLMVL Economy Microporous Vacuum Line£2.50 /linear metre

Resin Infusion Spiral Standard Flow 10m Coil Thumbnail
RISP-M-10Resin Infusion Spiral Standard Flow 10m Coil£3.50 /pack

PP180 Economy Peel Ply Black Tracer (1520mm) 5m Folded Pack Thumbnail
AFPP180-152-5PKPP180 Economy Peel Ply Black Tracer (1520mm) 5m Folded Pack£10.00 /pack

ST150 Vacuum Bagging Sealant Tape 15m Each Thumbnail
VBST150ST150 Vacuum Bagging Sealant Tape 15m Each£5.50 /roll

FM100 Infusion Mesh (1050mm) 5m Folded Pack Thumbnail
AFFM100-105-5PKFM100 Infusion Mesh (1050mm) 5m Folded Pack£12.00 /pack

CP1 Resin Infusion Catch-Pot 1.2L Thumbnail
RICP-P-SCP1 Resin Infusion Catch-Pot 1.2L£79.95 /each

Vac Checker® Precision Digital Vacuum Gauge Thumbnail
VE-VCGVac Checker® Precision Digital Vacuum Gauge£190.75 /each

SQUEEZEE Professional Infusion Line Clamp 15mm Thumbnail
RI-SQLC-15SQUEEZEE Professional Infusion Line Clamp 15mm£20.95 /each

Total £0.00
MATERIALS FOR THE BOAT
360g 2x2 Twill Flax Fibre Cloth (1000mm) Thumbnail
FF-22-360-100360g 2x2 Twill Flax Fibre Cloth (1000mm)£21.95 /linear metre

IB2 Epoxy Infusion Bio Resin 5kg Thumbnail
EP-IB2-5IB2 Epoxy Infusion Bio Resin 5kg£87.70 /kit

XCR Epoxy Coating Resin 1Kg Kit Thumbnail
EP-XCR-1XCR Epoxy Coating Resin 1Kg Kit£26.50 /kit

25mm 300g Black Aramid Flat Braid (Seam Tape) Thumbnail
KFB-BLK-2525mm 300g Black Aramid Flat Braid (Seam Tape)£5.30 /linear metre

End Grain Balsa Core T=6.4mm, 1220 x 610mm Thumbnail
EGB-6.4-074End Grain Balsa Core T=6.4mm, 1220 x 610mm£19.30 /sheet

Total £0.00
ANCILLARIES
CR1 Easy-Lease Chemical Release Agent - 250ml Thumbnail
CR1-025CR1 Easy-Lease Chemical Release Agent - 250ml£10.00 /pack

FUSIONFIX™ GP2 General Purpose Composites Spray Adhesive 500ml Thumbnail
FF-GP2FUSIONFIX™ GP2 General Purpose Composites Spray Adhesive 500ml£14.50 /each

Total £0.00

DISCUSSION (5)

Please share any questions or comments you may have about this video tutorial.


Sam
Hi, boat looks great, how does the stiffness, weight and longevity compare to a similar build of carbon fibre, foam core and epoxy resin.
Easy CompositesCarl

Without a doubt, you could build a lighter and stiffer boat from carbon fibre and a foam core. However, ultimate performance wasn't really the target of this project. Our aim was to align the characteristics somewhere around what you would expect from a fibreglass canoe, whilst demonstrating the range and performance of our more eco conscious range of products. 


Basub
Why did you choose balsa core instead foam core?
Easy CompositesWarren

For both its environmental credentials and performance. Balsa is both more environmentally friendly than plastic based cores yet performs very well so is not really a compromise mechanically.


maxnits
Is it viable to save on cost and use wet lamination instead of infusion for a project that requires making long tubular shape?
Easy CompositesWarren

Although these natural fibres can be wet laid, they tend to swell when not under vacuum which increases thickness and uses more resin. Vacuum based processes like infusion minimise this.


Hallk
Truly impressive build of a great looking canoe. I'm curious as to how hemp fibre would compare to flax fibre for this type of use.
Easy CompositesWarren

Certainly hemp fibre has very similar properties in many ways so no specific reason why you could not make a similar Canoe using hemp based fibres.


Jaen F
Instead of applying the balsa core to the whole of the bottom, could you not have just gone down the keel like you did on the "lightweight" sample and then add balsa ribs to add stiffness?
Easy CompositesWarren

With a bit of further experimentation it may well be possible to further reduce the balsa bottom in the way you suggest. Our experience of this canoe was that the balsa base helped with overall stiffness.

LEAVE A COMMENT OR QUESTION

Note: Your name will be abbreviated and your email address will only be used to email you the answer directly

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