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PostPosted: October 23, 2011, 1:01 am 
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Joined: July 15, 2011, 8:34 am
Posts: 35
Location: Germany
Is it possible, or did somebody already have a try "blowing" composite material out of its mold from various directions ?
Fiberglass & co do often get blown out of the mold, especially after resin infusion. I had the simple idea of integrating many hose connectors into the mold, leveling them with clay and pressurizing them after the layup has cured in order to release complex part safely from the mold.

(I really have no Idea why I felt like asking about this Idea, especially because there is no composite work to be done soon)

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PostPosted: October 23, 2011, 7:26 am 
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Joined: January 2, 2009, 1:45 pm
Posts: 1318
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Air will not replace a release agent.

My summer job after my first year of engineering studies (40 years ago?) was working for a boatbuilder, where 50 percent of my work was laminating GRP sailboats. The mould had an air fitting down by the keel, just as you describe. When the layup had cured overnight, we'd apply some air and "pop goes the weasel", after which we just lifted the (16 foot) hull out of the mould.

But ... this presumed that we had done a good job on waxing the mould (we used paste wax rather than commercial release agent because it gave a better surface finish). If on occasions the waxing was deficient, or a mould was developing hairline cracks from age, then boat and mould were wonderfully fused together, requiring application of saws and chisels to remove the boat in bits. After a second such incident, it was generally taken as evidence that the particular mould was destined for a fire in the back yard (this was in the bad old days when we did burn such things - it made quite an impressive and dirty fire).

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PostPosted: October 23, 2011, 3:30 pm 
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Joined: January 22, 2007, 5:13 pm
Posts: 313
Location: Anchorage Alaska
Yes, one or more air fittings will help pop a part loose but multiple coats of a release agent is critical in every job.
Air just makes it a bit easier but is not necessary.

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PostPosted: October 24, 2011, 1:14 pm 
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Joined: July 15, 2011, 8:34 am
Posts: 35
Location: Germany
exactly what I thought about, thanks (did not know such things are already done)
I would not even dream about laying up something without some release agent ;) but very often it happens that you're facing a cured product stuck in the mold and things feel like it could break if you apply to much force... next time I will try this

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