Dissolving polyester resin

Discussion in 'Materials' started by mojounwin, May 13, 2012.

  1. mojounwin
    Joined: Dec 2004
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    Location: Queensland, Australia

    mojounwin Junior Member

    Hi Folks, I have some mild steel and lead joined with polyester resin that I now need to seperate. Any suggestions on what chemicals I could use to soften or dissolve the polyester resin? I'm thinking Acetone would be the best bet, just wondering if there are any other ideas?

    Cheers
    Mojo
     
  2. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    "Fire" and Hammer and chisel.
     
  3. m3mm0s rib
    Joined: Aug 2011
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    Location: GREECE

    m3mm0s rib Senior Member

    you can heat with air gun
     
  4. CDK
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    Location: Adriatic sea

    CDK retired engineer

    Don't waste acetone on it, that doesn't work. Paint stripper (very alkaline, NaOH or KOH) will slowly weaken the resin, Frosty's solution works immediately.
     
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  5. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
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    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    Methylene Chloride and MEK work as well. But fire and heat usually work faster.
     
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  6. mydauphin
    Joined: Apr 2007
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    Location: Florida

    mydauphin Senior Member

    Or use a high speed grinder, or circular saw to cut it off.
     

  7. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    If you use enough heat to plasticize the resin so it can removed, you'll also be melting lead.

    Chemicals are the route to take. Freeze it and beat it with a hammer and chisel.
     
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