> I have some Titan brand marine epoxy with the fast hardener. > I've heard > that if you ice your mixing container, the reaction can be avoided at > the expense of dealing with a thicker mix. Are there any other > disadvantages to doing this? I agree with Mike that buying a slower hardener is probably the best choice. The risk you run with trying to cool already-mixed epoxy is that once you mix the two parts, the chemical reaction starts, and any attempt to cool (which takes time) may be neutralized by the exotherm of the curing epoxy (which doesn't wait). If the epoxy starts 'going off' half way through your job, then your project may be trashed or require significant 'fix-it' efforts. Even if you are successful in quickly cooling the epoxy, it may not easily/completely wet out glass cloth, may not penetrate into the wood surface to give you the strongest possible bond, and may not release any air bubbles that are inadvertently worked into the epoxy - or may generate 'pinholes' when it does. And if you try cooling the resin and hardener prior to mixing, it may be hard to get a uniform and thorough mix of the two parts, which may result in a different set of problems. Unless you're working with epoxy full-time, paying a little more for one of the name brand products, and maybe even buying both fast and slow hardeners often used in boat-building is, IMO, a good investment. See http://www.westsystem.com/ http://www.masepoxies.com/ http://www.systemthree.com/ http://www.raka.com/ And be sure to work safely with epoxy. Minimize inhalation of epoxy fumes and avoid all skin contact, as epoxy is a sensitizer and can affect those individuals sensitive to epoxy - and you won't know if you're sensitive or not until it's too late...... The MAS and West System web sites have good safety write-ups that anyone working with epoxy should read - and pay attention to. See http://www.masepoxies.com/safety.htm http://www.westsystem.com/ (link to safety info under green 'Go To' bar on left) Erik Sprenne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jun 14 2005 - 23:02:53 PDT
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