Dec 27 Main Tube Layups

Straightforward layups of the main tube sections using 0-90 3k twill and 1" wide strips of 4oz uni-directional on the "outside" perimeter of the triangle. DownTube first:

Then the SeatTube, and front of the TopTube:

Compaction again was inconsistent and wrinkly:

I am convinced the problem here is trapped resin. I am loading the fabric with too much resin and then covering layers with unidirectional fabric which does not weep easily... trapping resin. I am also not working the excess resin out from the fabric enough before applying the banding. So the compression banding is not able to squeeze all the excess out.

I will be more diligent of squeegee-ing the fabric to remove excess before application to the frame, and I will also massage/compress/squeegee the resin after laying onto the frame in attempts to work it through the layers of carbon fabric before applying the compression banding. I think I have been rushing to apply the banding concerned the resin will set up on me, but in retrospect I have no reason to hurry. Apply the composite layup, and take a breath... work the resin through the layers with a roller or squeegee or finger... then apply the compression banding.