Prepreg Carbon Fibre Evaluation Kit

If you’d like to experiment with prepreg for first time, or prove the performance of the XC110 prepreg before making a larger purchase, this is the way to do it!

Our XC110 Prepreg Carbon Fibre Evaluation Kit has been put together to allow those wishing to experiment with prepreg, or verify the claimed performance and results of the XPREG XC110 ‘out-of-autoclave’ system, to do so with the minimum possible investment.

Apart from a vacuum pump, oven (see ‘Oven Requirements’ below) and mould suitable for high temperature use, the kit includes absolutely everything necessary to laminate, vacuum bag and cure a small prepreg carbon fibre part.

The kit includes sample quantities of the industry-standard XPREG XC110 ‘out-of-autoclave’ prepreg carbon fibre in 210g 3k surface ply and 416g 6k backing ply. This specialist prepreg has been developed specifically to be cured under vacuum pressure only in an oven, avoiding the need for a highly costly autoclave. When used as recommended, XC110 can produce pinhole-free, professional-quality, high-performance carbon fibre parts using only a vacuum pump and a 120°C (248°F) oven.

Other Equipment

Oven Requirements

The XC110 prepreg included in the kit is designed to be cured in an oven, under vacuum pressure. To achieve the best results, an accurately controlled ‘cure cycle’ should be followed, which involves a lower temperature ‘soak’ followed by a higher temperature final cure.

The easiest and most reliable way to follow this cure cycle is using an industrial oven with PID ‘ramp and soak’ control. However, as ovens of this type represent a significant investment, guidance is provided in the accompanying video tutorial and downloadable instructions on how to affect a similar cure in a basic domestic (kitchen) oven, using a thermometer and some careful temperature adjustments.

The second requirement for the oven is a means of having an active vacuum connection to the vacuum bag for the duration of the cure. In an oven not designed for composites, this can be achieved using the special oven seal ‘breach line’ included in the kit. The breach line uses a microbore PTFE tube that can go past a typical oven and still allow the door to be closed properly, without damage or modification to the oven.

Vacuum Pump

To use the kit, you will require a vacuum pump. For reliability, safety and performance, we would recommend a good quality pump intended for continuous use, such as our EC4 Composites Vacuum Pump. However, particularly during the evaluation stage, any vacuum pump suitable for continuous use and capable of achieving a final pressure of 2 millibar / 99.8% vacuum / 1500 microns could be used.

Suitable Moulds

Composite moulds are most often used with prepregs, although moulds can be made from other materials such as aluminium or stainless steel. In all cases, the mould must be made from a material capable of withstanding 120°C (248°F) without softening or distorting.

Moulds made from polyester resin are NOT compatible with epoxy-based prepregs and should not be used.

For best results, we would recommend moulds made using a high-temperature epoxy, such as our EG160 Tooling Gelcoat, EL160 Laminating Resin or EMP160 Laminating Paste, or a tooling prepreg such as XT135. For convenience, our High Temperature Epoxy Mould Kit includes everything necessary to make a small, high temperature mould, ideal for use with the XC110 prepregs.

Kit Contents

To achieve the best possible results, all materials and equipment included in the kit are professional/industrial quality materials, exactly as we would supply to large manufacturers, but in the smallest quantities required to complete the process.

• 2x 40x30cm Samples of XC110 210g 3K 2x2 Twill Prepreg Carbon Fibre
• 2x 40x30cm Samples of XC110 416g 6K 2x2 Twill Prepreg Carbon Fibre
• TBC2 Through-Bag Connector + ¼ Turn Valve + 8mm Hosetail Barb
• 1.5m 8mm ID Silicone Vacuum Hose
• Oven Seal Vacuum Breach Line
• 100cm x 152cm VB160 Vacuum Bagging Film
• 50cm x 153cm of R210 Unperforated Prepreg Release Film
• 50cm x 153cm BR180 140g Breather layer Cloth
• 50cm x 150cm R120 P3 Perforated Release Film

Some items in the kit, such as the TBC2 through-bag connector and oven seal breach line, are a one-off purchases and can be reused indefinitely. Other items, like the prepreg itself and the vacuum bagging materials, are consumable items. All consumable items are available to purchase in larger quantities once the excellent results of the system have been demonstrated.

Additional Information

Storage & Handling

Prepreg carbon fibre is a perishable material and for long-term storage should be kept in a freezer at -18°C (0°F). However, the ‘out-life’ of the XC110 prepreg, the amount of time it can safely spend out of the freezer, is 4-6 weeks at 20°C, meaning that if you plan to use the material within a few weeks, it can be stored at ambient temperature.

Shipping

Prepregs are not classified as ‘dangerous goods’ for the purposes of transport and so this kit can be shipped to any destination without restriction or additional costs.

The prepreg is stored frozen in our warehouse but shipped on normal, ambient temperature, transport. If you don’t plan to use the prepreg right away, upon receipt, it should be stored in a freezer until you’re ready to use it.