Getting the mold to release

[thundair]

We have wrapped a multi-piece mold with carbon fiber prepreg
and are having problems with removing the segments that were to let the mold collapse. My guess is that some of the resin has weeped into the segmented mandrel and has locked it up.

Is there a way to soften the resign after cure?

We have used liquid nitrogen on the mandrel but even at zero the pieces wont slide out or budge for that matter.

Thanks in advance

I don't know anything but the people that do.

 

[bluecomp]

Hello,
Depends on the mold, but you can tried to put the mold in a stove and heat it at about 50ºC, removing and work with adequated glooves, or heat localy with a dryer.

 

[allcomposites]

Try heating the mold above the ultimate TG of the resin. The composite will stand while the resin in the gaps will soften allowing to remove the mold.
Another option is to use Epoxsol. It works great and is water soluble. However, it may degrade the composite piece.