Temp of P-tex

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Carbo
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Temp of P-tex

Post by Carbo »

How hot can P-tex get?
I've got pre-preg materials and an autoclave at my disposal. The pre-preg materials require a cook of ~250F for 1 hour in the autoclave. Will this damage the P-tex?
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littleKam
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Post by littleKam »

I'm not too sure how hot P-tex can get without becoming damaged. None of our presses are heated so we've never had to deal the issue.

I can only point you to these guys Durasurf. They should be able to help you out.

By the way, where did you get the pre-preg?
- Kam S Leang (aka Little Kam)
Carbo
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Post by Carbo »

Thanks Kam, I'll drop them an email.

I work for a company that makes pre-preg carbon stuff. I had a good idea the other day for how I can tool up up a ski that will enable even an imbicile like me to laminate it. We'll see if it works. I'll keep you posted.

btw, so glad I found this site. It rocks, thanks so much.
Carbo
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Post by Carbo »

For those who care, Durasurf has told me that 250F at 80psi for 1+hour will not harm their P-tex.
Interesting that this is a HUGE difference from the Nordic-racing-nerds who tell me that passing a 125F tuning iron too slowly over the base while waxing can "burn" your P-tex and affect performance. HA!

Let's 'clave some skis!
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bigKam
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Post by bigKam »

Carbo:

that's what i want to hear: real information. i hope this encourages others to post similar info so we can build a HUGE database for other builders. anyway, thanks for your efforts.

send us some photos of your skis when you get a chance. we'll be more than happy to post them on this site!
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Madriverglen
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Post by Madriverglen »

carbo id have to say that some of us XC guys can by a pain when waxing but the slow iron has to do more with hurting the basewax that u have built up
Carbo
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Post by Carbo »

Got some more info from the nice people at Crown Plastics, if anyone cares, probably way more info than most home builders want but.....
Crown Plastics wrote: UHMWPE has a melt temperature of around 280F. Working in
the 250F range should not result in much, if any, dimensional change in
the material. As you approach and exceed the 280F temperature, the
DuraSurf sheet will aneal and you will see some dimensional changes.
Typically the sheet will get thicker, and shrink the the width and
length dimensions. The material will reach a "gel" state at around
380F. In the gel state the UHMW will become clear and very "rubbery".
In this state it can be thermoformed to achieve some 3D shape.
However, the material will not become at all fluid, or runny. It has a
zero melt index which means that it exhibits no melt flow tendencies
when heated.

Pressure. Since the melt index is zero, UHMW polyethylene can
withstand high pressures, even when heated to the gel state. That is
why the polymer cannot be extruded. It must be compression molded.
Melt processable polymers , like lower molecular weight polyethylenes,
will flow and become thinner in response to high heat and pressure, and
therefore are considered to be "extrudable" grades. UHMWPE will not.
Gotta give 'em credit for thorough customer support. Answered my needs well.
peace.
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bigKam
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Post by bigKam »

Carbo: thanks for posting the info! it's very useful to know.
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