13 - Clean and environmentally friendly wet-filament winding

Abstract

This chapter reports on a modified wet-filament winding technique where the components of the resin system were stored in individual reservoirs and pumped on-demand through a static-mixer; the mixed resin system was then fed to a custom-designed fibre impregnation unit. The quality of the components produced using the conventional and modified techniques were evaluated using image analysis and the split-ring test. The fibre volume and the void fractions were also measured. It was found that the modified wet-filament winding technique yielded tubes with equivalent properties in comparison with conventionally wound tubes. However, the volume of solvents consumed was reduced significantly.