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yamaslut

Guest
mixing more hardener will only make the epoxy/resin brittle... it's like anything... the slower it dries, the less brittle it will be... same w/ paint too... like when they say "bake" a car paintjob.. they are reducing the flexibility by adding heat
 
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yamaslut

Guest
Matt_E said:
I don't follow you. The final matrix is the same, no matter how slow it cures.
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not sure of the science behind it...
I think you missed the point... Adding more hardener is not an option... You always mix acording to the directions
 
Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
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Location
at peace
not sure of the science behind it...
I think you missed the point... Adding more hardener is not an option... You always mix acording to the directions
Click to expand...

Oh, I gotcha now. I agree, in almost all cases involving epoxy resin, extra hardner is not an option.
Adding extra hardener may be an option, according to the directions for the stuff I use.

I don't really understand why this would work, as the hardner in epoxy resin mates up with the resin 100% in the molecule matrix - that's why the ratio needs to be correct.
Not enough hardner results in extra un-bound resin molecules in the matrix, whereas too much hardner results in extra un-bound hardner molecules in same matrix.

For the most stable resin matrix after cure, an exact ratio needs to be followed.

Heat will speed up the curing process.
 
Y

yamaslut

Guest
it seems like there is always some loss when using heat to speed up curing times... maybe I wrong... :biggrin:

Matt_E said:
Oh, I gotcha now. I agree, in almost all cases involving epoxy resin, extra hardner is not an option.
Adding extra hardener may be an option, according to the directions for the stuff I use.

I don't really understand why this would work, as the hardner in epoxy resin mates up with the resin 100% in the molecule matrix - that's why the ratio needs to be correct.
Not enough hardner results in extra un-bound resin molecules in the matrix, whereas too much hardner results in extra un-bound hardner molecules in same matrix.

For the most stable resin matrix after cure, an exact ratio needs to be followed.

Heat will speed up the curing process.
Click to expand...
 
Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
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Location
at peace
It shouldn't - as stated, the final matrix is the same, whether you cure it in 20 degree weather or 90 degree weather. Only difference is cure time.
 
Frosty

Frosty

New York Crew
Location
Western New York
Hey Jerry, I just finished reading this thread... the video is very cool... nice job. I see you use yellow cups... I usually use the red ones... what color do you think works better... :biggrin: J/K I thought I was the only one that used those things.

Anyway, looks good man :headbang:
 
Frosty

Frosty

New York Crew
Location
Western New York
jetskier79 said:
Yeah, umm, just don't leave a bunch of resin in the cup....it will melt. Someone, uh, someone told me that. :27:
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LOL... yeah, I've done that a few times... :frown: This winter was my first time working with epoxy resin and fiber glass doing a square nose project. Been a great learning experience for sure.
 
LBE

LBE

Eddie Would Go.
Location
Charlotte, NC
BlowStuffUp said:
the secret is if you use a yellow cup then it will cure faster, but the final matrix will be stronger, and neo will kill you all.
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LOL

I can show you the door, but only you can open it.
 
Frosty

Frosty

New York Crew
Location
Western New York
BlowStuffUp said:
the secret is if you use a yellow cup then it will cure faster, but the final matrix will be stronger, and neo will kill you all.
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Oh, I see... so the cup color represents the physical manifestation of your digital self while applying the epoxy matrix. Ergo, cup color, while not directly related to cure time, while indirectly related to preference, and at the same time being disposable, has no overall impact on the strength of the matrix, so long as mix percentage, cure time and temperature are optimal for achieving desired outcome.

wow, i think i was in a trance for that blurb...:scared:
 
sicki

sicki

Ride hard, put away wet!
BlowStuffUp said:
the secret is if you use a yellow cup then it will cure faster, but the final matrix will be stronger, and neo will kill you all.
Click to expand...


exaclty, young jedi.... only use yellow cups because red cups are for kegs only!! when is the next party Preston, i want to meet some young SD chicks!!
 
hangtime

hangtime

Speak up ,don't kiss azz
Location
WORCESTER,MASS- HAMPTON N.H.
The only time I used heat to help speed cure time the resin cracked and I used the exact ratio from West Systems pumps .
I wouldnt do it again it's not worth it ,perhaps I had the lamp too close but none the less it's not supposed to be baked or they would tell you to bake it in the instructions .
just let it cure on it's own is the best way :headbang:
 
gj_fx1

gj_fx1

X-H2
use lamps to warm it if you are forced to work in the cold, but I think not to speed it up if you are working at a good temp to begin with. Personally, since I don't have a heated garage I just dont work with epoxy untill the weather is warm enough.
 
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