Delamination
I need some advice,I have a outfitter apex 8 just under 2 years old,the sides of the camper has bubbles,looks like the mumps. Manufacturer can't seem to fix the problem and it is getting worse,shall ...
Forum Discussion
Hi Gee:
The process is called: osmotic or osmosis blistering. It is apparent (and prolific) throughout the boat building and RV manufacturing industries. I found this write-up a very good "primer" for non chemists, explaining the issue in layman's terms:
The Real Story of Osmosis Blistering
Treatment, Cure and Prevention:
Article by: Steve Smith, www.smithandcompany.org Vox 1-510-237-6842 fax 1-510-232-9921 here-->
*a few notes to the readers: GRP (glass-reinforced polyester) is also known as FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polyester). These terms are interchangeable acronyms
Once you've read through this (and, there are MANY other process research papers written on the topic of osmotic blistering by engineers {including Crane Composites articles: the company that makes FRP panels for the RV industry}, but far more in-depth, requiring an advanced degree in polymer chemistry to decipher), then we can discuss the possible causes as they relate to the RV composite panels fabrication (fabrication in any manufacturing facility) in great detail.
As I write previous: this issue is most likely related to climatic/temporal/situational/environmental issues at the manufacturing level, and/or inconsistencies in glue batch. Translating: the issue will not likely manifest in every unit "coming off the line", however, will affect some unknown x statistic (so far: I've personally heard of 14 units affected in personal correspondence, out of roughly 38 unit owners we know; this in itself is not a good statistical indicator of ratio (the manufacturer has perhaps close to a thousand units out in the market since 2004).
Anyhow: the best way to forensically analyze any issue at the manufacturing level, is to analyze the data (statistical line data) from the PLCs and sensors in the lamination process (ie glue temperatures, RH in lamination room, surface temperatures of the items being laminated just before lamination, vacuum lamination measurements over the press time, and many other data) IF the data had been collected.
Again: this is a situation that many composite laminators would be concerned about, not just one manufacturer! I'm SURE that Crane Composites engineers would relish the opportunity to investigate any manufacturers' process (under a non-disclosure agreement), to determine weaknesses in their product, and in the lamination process itself.
Cheers,
Silver-
The process is called: osmotic or osmosis blistering. It is apparent (and prolific) throughout the boat building and RV manufacturing industries. I found this write-up a very good "primer" for non chemists, explaining the issue in layman's terms:
The Real Story of Osmosis Blistering
Treatment, Cure and Prevention:
Article by: Steve Smith, www.smithandcompany.org Vox 1-510-237-6842 fax 1-510-232-9921 here-->
*a few notes to the readers: GRP (glass-reinforced polyester) is also known as FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polyester). These terms are interchangeable acronyms
Once you've read through this (and, there are MANY other process research papers written on the topic of osmotic blistering by engineers {including Crane Composites articles: the company that makes FRP panels for the RV industry}, but far more in-depth, requiring an advanced degree in polymer chemistry to decipher), then we can discuss the possible causes as they relate to the RV composite panels fabrication (fabrication in any manufacturing facility) in great detail.
As I write previous: this issue is most likely related to climatic/temporal/situational/environmental issues at the manufacturing level, and/or inconsistencies in glue batch. Translating: the issue will not likely manifest in every unit "coming off the line", however, will affect some unknown x statistic (so far: I've personally heard of 14 units affected in personal correspondence, out of roughly 38 unit owners we know; this in itself is not a good statistical indicator of ratio (the manufacturer has perhaps close to a thousand units out in the market since 2004).
Anyhow: the best way to forensically analyze any issue at the manufacturing level, is to analyze the data (statistical line data) from the PLCs and sensors in the lamination process (ie glue temperatures, RH in lamination room, surface temperatures of the items being laminated just before lamination, vacuum lamination measurements over the press time, and many other data) IF the data had been collected.
Again: this is a situation that many composite laminators would be concerned about, not just one manufacturer! I'm SURE that Crane Composites engineers would relish the opportunity to investigate any manufacturers' process (under a non-disclosure agreement), to determine weaknesses in their product, and in the lamination process itself.
Cheers,
Silver-
