McCLARIN Composites leverages closed mold capabilities across three facilities. Closed molding is a strategic priority to address the sustainability and performance requirements of our key customers in mobility and the built environment.
The vacuum infusion process (VIP), or infusion, uses a vacuum pump to draw the resin into the reinforcement, while resin transfer molding (RTM) uses a positive pressure pump to push the resin into the reinforcement.
Infusion parts are inherently stronger and lighter than open mold manufactured parts due to higher fiber volume fraction (FVF). Infusion is lower cost-in-use since tooling and labor costs are much lower and trimming and overspray waste is minimized or eliminated.
Infusion offers improved process times, consistent and close tolerance results, and higher quality control assurances since the part can be inspected during various stages of the process.
Additional advantages of infusion include improved surface quality, reduced environmental impact and worker exposure. Infusion reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and hazardous air pollutants emitted because it is a closed molding process.
We employ a diverse range of resins—such as vinyl ester, polyester, epoxy, and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)—and reinforcement materials—such as fiberglass mat, fiberglass fabric, carbon fiber fabric, Kevlar (Aramid) fabric, honeycomb cones, foam core.
We have the capability to mold large, complex components for low or high-volume production runs or prototyping.