Acrylic sheet as mould

Author Message macgtech ANSWER HOT Group: Forum Members
Posts: 20, Visits: 102
Hi guys

We typically use polyproylene (PP) sheet for moulds for ducts, floors etc and other aero parts on the racecars - we have various line benders and forming tools to form the PP to the shapes required, and it obviously releases well with no release agents and gives a great surface finish. 

My question is, will acylic sheet behave the same in terms of release behaviour for epoxy? Our PP supplier is struggling to get the material in and we can get acrylic very locally at a good price. The acrylic material is also stiffer so would not need as much reinforcement as the PP which also helps, and is a little more scatch resistant. We can  obviously give it a try but figured it would be easier to ask on here first in case someone tried using acrylic sheet before.

Thanks

Jonny

, UK based Motorsport Racing Team - follow us on and on
Lester Populaire L ANSWER HOT Group: Forum Members
Posts: 311, Visits: 13K

+x macgtech - 9/22/2020 7:47:38 AMHi guys

We typically use polyproylene (PP) sheet for moulds for ducts, floors etc and other aero parts on the racecars - we have various line benders and forming tools to form the PP to the shapes required, and it obviously releases well with no release agents and gives a great surface finish. 

My question is, will acylic sheet behave the same in terms of release behaviour for epoxy? Our PP supplier is struggling to get the material in and we can get acrylic very locally at a good price. The acrylic material is also stiffer so would not need as much reinforcement as the PP which also helps, and is a little more scatch resistant. We can  obviously give it a try but figured it would be easier to ask on here first in case someone tried using acrylic sheet before.

Thanks

Jonny

No acrylic is not as nicely self releasing and to make things worse it doesn't like solvent's at all so most release agents are a big no-no.
macgtech ANSWER HOT Group: Forum Members
Posts: 20, Visits: 102
Thank you - I did suspect this maybe the case its its a lot less 'waxy' in finish than PP

, UK based Motorsport Racing Team - follow us on and on
nigelhill n ANSWER HOT Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1, Visits: 1

+x macgtech - 9/22/2020 7:47:38 AMHi guys

We typically use polyproylene (PP) sheet for moulds for ducts, floors etc and other aero parts on the racecars - we have various line benders and forming tools to form the PP to the shapes required, and it obviously releases well with no release agents and gives a great surface finish. 

My question is, will acylic sheet behave the same in terms of release behaviour for epoxy? Our PP supplier is struggling to get the material in and we can get acrylic very locally at a good price. The acrylic material is also stiffer so would not need as much reinforcement as the PP which also helps, and is a little more scatch resistant. We can  obviously give it a try but figured it would be easier to ask on here first in case someone tried using acrylic sheet before.

Thanks

Jonny

I use perspex with dragonskin30 silicone without release agent and it works perfectly. I've used KX Flex urethane with release agent and had no issues. I didn't test that one without release agent.
Hanaldo ANSWER HOT