Carbon Fiber Valve Cover 3

[otx12]

Just a simple question, what resin would be suitable for use in a carbon fiber valve cover? Could epoxy be used or dose the exposure to the engine oil require the use of a vinyl ester. And if epoxy can be used which are suitable for the task.

Thanks to all.
Matt

 

[benno]

Have a look at this

http://www.nrl.navy.mil/content.php?P=02REVIEW57

and look into the operating conditions for the component. Specifically you need to ensure that the transiton point of the composite is not exceeded. The transition point is the point at which the resinsoftens and the component becomes weak.

Ben Roberts

Broadcast Engineer

Sentient being.

 

[Compositepro]

Valve covers are made from carbon fiber mainly for one reason - cosmetics. It looks neat. Your best bet is vinyl ester resin. It is transparent and cheap. Epoxies will work but most are somewhat yellow and they almost all yellow with age. The pthalonitrile resin referenced above is not clear is very, very expensive and gets some of its high temp. performance from the microcracks that allow volatile presure in the resin to vent rather than blow it apart.

 

[USACompositeGuy]

I think your biggest problem will be the operating temperature of the engine. Most normal epoxy resins cannot be exposed to temps higher than 250-300 f. High temp resins are available but they become very difficult to work with and are somewhat expensive. I would run a few test to determine the normal operating temperature of the covers before actually investing money in the fabrication of the carbon fiber valve covers. Keep us posted.