Seamless Composite finishes

[Chris LaPanse]

Interesting…

I’ve never used aeropoxy, but the ones I’ve used are West (starts clear, ends clear) and Pro-set (starts amber [orange hardener, crystal clear resin] and goes clear as it cures).

[Conway StevensParticipant]

Thats interesting the 205 fast hardener for west systems that ive used actually has a redish tinge and makes the expoxy red color when liquid but dries clear.

[Chris LaPanse]

Interesting…

I use the 206 slow hardener with west, never tried anything else…

[Conway StevensParticipant]

I use the 206 as well. for laminations stuff. BUT when doing work with things like G10 glass or filiment/convolute wound glass tubing the speed of the epoxy is irrelavant as it is only a surface bonder not a penatrant like when using Phenolic or cardboard. So I have less down time when using the Faster 205 hardener.

[Chris LaPanse]

What kind of working times do you get with the 205?

I may look into that, as that is currently my biggest problem with west (when I use it for bonding).

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Conway, the Aeropoxy is similar… mixed blue and red, got a brownish color, then it set and dried clear. Kinda cool.

[Conway StevensParticipant]

here is some differences. Note the minimum temps they are testing with. Increased temps decrease cure times. Ive seen the Fast cure in a couple hours to overnight.

205 Fast Hardener

205 Fast Hardener is a medium-viscosity epoxy curing agent. It is used in a majority of situations, at lower temperatures and to produce a rapid cure that develops its physical properties quickly at room temperature. When mixed with the 105 Resin in a five-part resin to one-part hardener ratio, the cured resin/hardener mixture yields a rigid, high-strength, moisture-resistant solid with excellent bonding and coating properties. Not intended for clear coating.
Mix Ratio, Resin:Hardener
Pot life at 72°F (22°C)
Cure to a solid state
Cure to maximum strength
Minimum recommended temperature
Pumps required 5:1 by weight or volume*
9 to 12 minutes
6 to 8 hours
1 to 4 days
40°F (4°C)
300, 306-25 or 309

206 Slow Hardener

206 Slow Hardener is a low-viscosity epoxy curing agent for use when extended working and cure time is needed or to provide adequate working time at higher temperatures. When combined with 105 Resin in a five-part resin to one-part hardener ratio, the cured resin/hardener mixture yields a rigid, high-strength, moisture-resistant solid with excellent bonding and coating properties. Not intended for clear coating.
Mix Ratio, Resin:Hardener
Pot life at 72°F (22°C)
Cure to a solid state
Cure to maximum strength
Minimum recommended temperature
Pumps required 5:1 by weight or volume*
20 to 25 minutes
9 to 12 hours
1 to 4 days
60°F (16°C)
300, 306-25 or 309

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Other epoxies are intended to be heat cured. I believe Aeropoxy is one.

Aeropoxy for laminating (layup work) can be cured “well over 200 degrees [F].” The working time is an hour. I’m sure Warren is right about another higher temperature epoxy from Aeropoxy, just haven’t come across it yet. I finished filleting around my fins on the motor mount, and I’ve decided that instead of laying up the whole fins at this point, I’m just going to layup FB rectangles to secure the joint to the motor mount and come out just past where the body tube slips over the fins. While I want strength, I’m really concerned about the weight of my aft end. The 3 fins themselves already weigh ~4-5 pounds. I’ll do a full covering after I epoxy the fins and motor mount to the body tube.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Well, layed up the fins to the motor mount. Didn’t even have to use those fake credit cards from the mail! That miniature paint roller smoothed everything out. I’ll admit I never really like this part. But this was too easy. It wetted out perfectly. I was able to do all three fins at one setting. No runs, no drips, no errors. Aeropoxy doesn’t have a pump system… so I’ll have to wait and see if I mixed it right. 😯 🙂

[Conway StevensParticipant]

Glad you like the paint roller tip Bruce!! sounds like it made it a snap for you.

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