Best stabilizer to use

[DanGraves]

What is the Best stabilizer liquid to use and some pros and cons. Also what are some methods specifics IE how much vacuum pressure, time, etc.? I Will be stabilizing ivory and wood. Same pressure for both materials? Wonder what K & G uses because they do a great job.

 

[Johnny Warner]

There have been several posts on this subject. However, the best one seems subjective. I wish I knew which stablizing chemicals were the best to. Maybe some of the experts will post and give us an answer.

 

[A C Richards]

The material K&G uses comes from Lucite or Dupont. They require a certification to buy it. It can be very unstable when adding the catalyst causing rapid decompression of the chamber (explosion). I also talked to Ken at the OKCA show and he said he puts the chamber under 4000psi. This is why I have left the main stabilizing up the the Pro's. For harder woods that I just want a little more stable I use resolute or nelsonite. It does not get super hard like WSSI or K&G but it keeps the moisture out.

 

[Rob!]

The best stabilant is MMA and the polymerization catalyst is Vazo. MMA used to come from Dupont, but I believe it now comes from INEOS.

The materials are important, but, as one person told me, "It's more technique than you'd think." I believe that, because I've seen people with similar equipment and identical stabilants - that get remarkably different results.

This stuff is also sold to denturists - for a zillion dollars a quart. If you want it in reasonable quantities priced for a viable operation, you will have to get 50 gallon drums (note the 's' on the end of drums.)

Keep us posted

Rob!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I always advise that if you want the best stabilizer...and the best equipment.....either invest about $30,000 or send the wood to WSSI.

Even if you were a great backyard engineer and had an entire scrap yard of stainless steel pressure tanks and compressors, the chemicals are unbelievably expensive ( and have a short shelf life). The "home brew" stabilizing with various chemicals, oils, wood hardener, etc. will not hold a candle to a good MMA job done in a pressure/vac reactor vessel.

Alloying your own steel and doing your own stabilizing are both technical trades best done by those who do it daily.
Stacy