Opinion on US composites Epoxy

Discussion in 'Materials' started by rasorinc, Nov 3, 2012.

  1. rasorinc
    Joined: Nov 2007
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    rasorinc Senior Member

    Anybody have an opinion on the epoxy sold by U S Composites. I want to buy the epoxy 150 Slow. Price is very good. Any comments appreciated. Stan
     
  2. pauloman
    Joined: Jun 2010
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    pauloman Epoxy Vendor

  3. goodwilltoall
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    goodwilltoall Senior Member

    Would say no, any company that does not offer characteristics such as water absorbtion,cure rate, thixness, flexibility,hardness I woulf hold suspect. Findout the qualities you want first then compare. I was able to use momentive and get it for $21.45 pergallonOut the door and delivered but buying drums. you could use 828 for any of the curing agents it just a matter of the amount of diluents added for thixness. The low price selleras all add fillers which costs less and takes away from water resistance of the resin. If you do buy from the momentive ditributers buy from the ones that sell both drums and pails if you need the smaller 5gal buckets.
     
  4. goodwilltoall
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    goodwilltoall Senior Member

    Btw, 828 bis a is the standard others are measured by, its 100% unadultarated and will givemaximum water resistance for the resin. Look at msds to see what solvent and diluents were added, not all but, most are there to reduce costs and not to add to properties.
     
  5. LP
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    LP Flying Boatman

    I have used USComposites. I was happy with the slow hardener. I did seem to develope a long term blush. It doesn't necessarily make sense, but it wouldn't appear until weeks after the application. This was fine with me as by that time, I was done laminating and coating. I've also used their medium hardener and I experienced serious enough blush problems that I would not use the medium again.

    I am looking at using RAKA on my next build. I plan to use their 127 resin and 350 non-blush hardener.

    http://store.raka.com/3gallonepoxykit.aspx

    Others here have recommended this as a low cost epoxy.

    http://boatbuildercentral.com/products.php?cat=41
     
  6. txriverrat
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    txriverrat Senior Member

    Built a bunch of boats with it and no problems.
    Ron
     
  7. Pjitty
    Joined: Mar 2006
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    Pjitty Junior Member

    I've used it over the past couple of years. Does get some blush and takes a little longer to fully harden. I tried Progressive Epoxy and it has almost no blush and cures a little quicker. I have no problem with US Composites, and will use it again but I think their is better out their...

    Joe D
     
  8. goodwilltoall
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    goodwilltoall Senior Member

    For what purpose will you be using it for? Usc does not show the msds if you ask you can post it as its for public use. west,mas,system3,momentive all give properties for their systems. Bisphenol a is the base ingrediant for marine epoxies and with the ones mentioned above it will range from 65 to 80% of the cured state. I have seen upto 30% alchol added with the resin in 2 to 1 mixes, this leaves less than half bis a. Couple that withhardeners cut up with the max allowable 40% nonyl and you have a poor system compared to the above.
     
  9. rasorinc
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    rasorinc Senior Member

    I'll be using the epoxy as a structural adhesive for wood on wood and wood on plywood.
    Stan
     
  10. goodwilltoall
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    goodwilltoall Senior Member

    Eventhough i consider it composite construction, in your case its more proper to think of it as an adhesivie, therefore the runny low viscosity formulas are unnecessary and can actually degrade the bond unless filler is added. With that in mind your choices open much wider since thats where low viscosity formulations begin to sacrifice if cost is a factor. Also like the longer pot life available for achieving the wet on wet molecular bond.

    Btw, did more research on the formula's with just 20% alcohol added to the resin and they had more than double the rate of water absorbtion vs 100% solids resins. Edward Petrie who wrote the book on epoxy adhesives said the alcohol MUST evaporate prior to full cure, which it really does not do completely therefore you have the more porous membrane and even if it did completely evaporate your still getting 4gallons of epoxy for each 5gallons you buy. Its a bad way to reduce viscosity.

    If my research is correct, there is one good property nonylphenol can add to marine expoxies other than bulking & reducing viscosity, I don't think anyone here knows what it is?

    Peace.
     
  11. LP
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    LP Flying Boatman

    So you make a statement like this and drop-it? This is a forum for sharing information and knowledge.
     

  12. pcfithian
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    pcfithian Junior Member

    For wood/wood and wood/epoxy joints, try PL Premium. It's as strong as anything I've used and completely waterproof. Test it, very easy to use.

    For epoxy, I've used both Progressive and Aero Marine. I like the thinner viscosity of the Aero better for wetting out glass.
     
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