Teflon rollers (cross grooves)

Consolidation Roller for Thin Fabrics and Low-Viscosity Laminating Resins

The PTFE roller with fine transverse grooves is used to remove trapped air and consolidate fibre-reinforced wet laminates. Rolling helps work air bubbles out of the laminate and promotes uniform wetting of the reinforcement fibres.

The fine profile is particularly suitable for thin glass fibre fabrics and low-viscosity resin systems. Compared with coarsely profiled consolidation rollers, the laminate is subjected to less mechanical stress. This makes the roller easy to control even on thin or easily displaced reinforcement layers.

The roller is made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). Resins have comparatively low adhesion to the PTFE surface, making the roller easier to clean and, in particular, facilitating the removal of cured resin residues.

Application

With thin fabrics, a heavily profiled consolidation roller can displace the fibres or push excessive amounts of resin ahead of the roller. The finely grooved PTFE roller works more gently and is particularly suitable for laminates where the reinforcement should remain as evenly positioned as possible.

For thick mats, heavy fabrics or multi-layer laminates, a more coarsely profiled consolidation roller may be more suitable.

Processing

First impregnate the reinforcement material evenly with laminating resin. Then guide the roller over the still-wet laminate using light to moderate pressure. Work trapped air bubbles towards a free edge wherever possible.

The roller is not intended to press excess resin out of the laminate using high pressure. The objective is to achieve a uniformly wetted fibre layer with as little trapped air as possible.

Cleaning and Notes

Clean the roller after processing whenever possible, before the resin has cured. Use a cleaning agent suitable for the resin system being processed.

Due to the low surface adhesion of PTFE, cured resin residues can often be mechanically removed from the roller.