Product Overview
The CT mat is a lightweight, compressible non-woven sheet laid directly under the outer skin. In infusion it acts as an in-plane flow channel that spreads resin across the panel before it moves into the core, shortening flow distance and infusion time. In the cured panel the mat isolates the skin from core texture and porosity, preventing print-through and dry spots on visible surfaces. It is compatible with polyester, epoxy, and vinyl ester resins.
Surface core mat CT is a thin non-woven mat placed between the outer skin and the core of a sandwich panel to manage resin flow and protect the finished surface. It stops core texture from printing through to the gel-coated face and keeps resin distribution even during infusion. It is the layer that makes large visible panels look as good as they perform. Cinon Composites supplies the CT mat in rolls for infusion and hand lay-up.
Specifications
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Non-woven polyester / [ ] |
| Thickness | [ ] mm |
| Areal weight | [ ] g/m² |
| Resin uptake | [ ] g/m² |
| Width | [ ] mm |
| Roll length | [ ] m |
| Compatible resins | Polyester / epoxy / vinyl ester |
| Packaging | [ ] rolls per carton |
Values vary by grade — contact sales for the datasheet.
Applications
Protect gel-coated marine finishes
Eliminate core print-through on hulls and decks.
Speed up infusion of large panels
Shorter flow paths on wind blades and transport panels.
Improve cosmetic quality of visible parts
Smooth surfaces on architectural and automotive panels.
Key Advantages
Versus laminating without a surface core, the CT mat removes the two most common defects on visible sandwich panels — print-through and resin-starved areas — without adding significant weight or thickness. Versus heavy flow media, it stays in the part, is far thinner, and holds much less resin, so panels are lighter and need no removal step. Finish quality plus process reliability makes it a low-cost upgrade to any infusion lay-up.
FAQ
Where exactly is the mat placed in the lay-up?
Between the outer skin reinforcement and the core, directly beneath the visible surface.
Can it be used with hand lay-up as well as infusion?
Yes — it works in both processes; its main benefit appears in infused and resin-rich areas.
Does it affect final panel thickness?
The mat is thin and compressible, so its contribution is small and predictable, and it improves thickness uniformity by controlling resin content.
— Cinon Composites Technical Team
