Mixing Ve resin.

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by Tungsten, Jan 3, 2014.

  1. Tungsten
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 488
    Likes: 10, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 75
    Location: Canada

    Tungsten Senior Member

    I've picked up some Ve resin to try out,Derakane 411-350.Supplier told me 5 drops of catalyst per fl/oz(29.5ml). a search on the net has a range from 5 to 13 drops per oz.
    I'm experimenting with infusion so an open time of 30-40 minutes would be good,shop temp at 60F.

    Drops work well for some of my tests as I'm mixing only 2 oz batches at a time.

    What say you?
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    It depends on the formulation, but usually it takes about 1.2 to 1.8% hardener.
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. Tungsten
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 488
    Likes: 10, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 75
    Location: Canada

    Tungsten Senior Member

    Well did some tests,5 drops did nothing to an ounce of resin.24hrs and still runny.13 drops seamed just right, 45 min open time it took about 5 minutes for the foaming to settle down after mixing.
     
  4. groper
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 2,483
    Likes: 144, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 693
    Location: australia

    groper Senior Member

    You can use different catalysts to get rid of the foaming... The Norox 50 catalyst is what I used for this reason...
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. Tungsten
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 488
    Likes: 10, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 75
    Location: Canada

    Tungsten Senior Member

    Thanks I'll look for it,i wasn't aware of the foaming so I thought this was a bust but after 5 min it degased and ended up very clear.
     
  6. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
    Posts: 1,618
    Likes: 94, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 1240
    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    Peroxides containing H2O2 give a foaming effect. Ask your supplier for a suitable peroxide.

    Also, counting drops for me is not the way to go. Invest in a decent scale. Can be an old or pre owned one, but make sure it has a fine scale.
     
    1 person likes this.
  7. Tungsten
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 488
    Likes: 10, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 75
    Location: Canada

    Tungsten Senior Member

    Well I have a triple beam scale,never thought it would be sensitive enough to decipher drops.Ill have to give it a try.
     
  8. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
    Likes: 573, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 506
    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    2 oz batch sizes are very difficult to catalyze accurately, you need a rather sensitive digital scale for acceptable accuracy. In the lab we use 100 gram batches for QC purposes, this amount can more easily be measured for better consistency. In the field I use 100cc calibrated cups and pipettes (looks like an eyedropper and marked with CC's)

    United Initiators sells 925H, it works well in VE resin, and gel coat too.
     
  9. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
    Likes: 573, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 506
    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    This resin has a rather high viscosity for infusion, but will work for small projects.

    Are you adding the promoters, or did your supplier? The gel times of VE's tend to drift rather quickly, so depending on when the promoters were added your gel times may vary from what you think it may be. If you are adding the promoters, then the data sheet will get you in the right range.


    http://www.ashland.com/Ashland/Static/Documents/APM/Derakane 411 350 tds.pdf
     
  10. Tungsten
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 488
    Likes: 10, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 75
    Location: Canada

    Tungsten Senior Member

    Yes my supplier added the promoter,and yes gel times are difficult to get consistent.

    If I add a little heat to the resin it thins down nicely,looking at some charts in the 80-90F range its showing 1% in some cases.I understood not to go below 1%.

    I am getting good results infusing thick laminates but I'm only getting a travel distance of 12" before it kicks at around 30- 45 minutes.
     
  11. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 2,929
    Likes: 573, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 506
    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    This is a generic estimate, every resin will be slightly different. The resin is tested at 77F, and about every 15 degrees above that will cut the gel time in half, 15 lower and it will about double it.

    So heating will lower the visc, but shorten the time allowed to fill it. A trade off. If more time is needed add the inhibitor or use a blended catalyst.

    Use the data sheet I linked to make the adjustments if needed.

    A resin with a lower starting visc is desired for infusion.
     
  12. Tungsten
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 488
    Likes: 10, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 75
    Location: Canada

    Tungsten Senior Member

    Thanks for the link,its all blurry to me as I don't understand what it all means.I'll have to go back and talk with my supplier and see what is needed to extend gel time.Which by the sounds of it is possible.
     

  13. groper
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 2,483
    Likes: 144, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 693
    Location: australia

    groper Senior Member

    The resin can be retarded with some inhibitor. However, flowing 12" in 30-45mins is very slow, you should find a faster flow media first and try that.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. comfisherman
    Replies:
    19
    Views:
    2,532
  2. TeddyDiver
    Replies:
    8
    Views:
    3,240
  3. jorgepease
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    16,027
  4. hardcoreducknut
    Replies:
    15
    Views:
    10,908
  5. John Slattery
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    881
  6. Mcdo2137
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    877
  7. John Slattery
    Replies:
    14
    Views:
    1,618
  8. CajunBoater
    Replies:
    5
    Views:
    903
  9. Bigtalljv
    Replies:
    35
    Views:
    3,494
  10. weldandglass
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    887
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.