How Much Heat Will Epoxy and Micarta Bear?

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
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I'm going to treat my Afghanistan knife with Gun Kote, guard and all. I'm using a mortised handle and have been planning to just get everything as close to finished as possible before applying the finish, and then assembling and finishing off the handle without, presumably, destroying the Gun Kote treatment. ;)

But would it be possible to completely assemble the knife handle and all, sandblast it, and then bake on the Gun Kote? That takes 300 deg F. I just wonder if the epoxy and Micarta would take it. I use a standard 90-minute epoxy.

How 'bout it, experts?
 
I have no idea, but if I had to guess I would have to say that the epoxy will at least get soft and possibly run a bit, but that wouldn't necessarily screw it up. Sometimes things that solidify, melt, then re-solidify are weaker, too, so my best advice would be to epoxy a piece of Micarta to a piece of steel and stick it in the oven for the amount of time you bake the coating and see what happens. Then, let us know! :D
 
From my own experience grinding the stuff I thinknit would ruin your handle. Especially being at that temp for a longer period of time.
I've managed to cook a handle or two on the grinder and it didn't even hurt my girly man hands ;)

You might try making a test peice though. Epoxy a couple micarta scraps together, or even a scrap of steel and a scrap of micarta and run them through the oven the way you would for gunkote. See what happens :confused:
 
Dave, I hope you plan on useing the oven in the kitchen. I'd hate to take a chance with the stuff in my heat treating oven. Just do it when the wife isn't home. Some expert advice from someone that hasn't used micarta in years...... :D
 
Dave if I have to remove a handle that has been epoxyed I'll heat the knife.
and if I recall it's less than 300 deg's

use a test piece Buddy :)

edited to add not sure just what Micarta will stand..
 
I can't speak as what Marketa will do BUT if you use the right epoxy it will go a long way past 300Deg. I had heard that 250Deg. it would soften epoxy and had a handle I needed to remove. So I started at 250 for two hr put the blade in the vise, no go, Tried 300 for a hour, tried again, no go, kept trying to over 400deg. then the stag was turning brown and it did not turn loose. I took it while hot to the anvil and used a hammer, the epoxy was just as hot as the rest of the knife and solid. I use a epoxy called 220 you find it at a jewelery supply store. Gib
 
Dave, JB Weld will easily take 300 degrees, it will go to 500f. Keep the line thin and it won't be a problem showing. You can simply test a piece of micarta at 300 to see if it bubbles, chars or delaminates.
 
I'm using Devcon
so if you want the higher stuff stay way from this :)

I like being able to take it apart
but as always a right place for the right part.. :)

this stuff is good to know..Gib what's the name for it if you would?

edited to add ooops I see now called 220 ?
 
Most two part epoxies will completely break down at 200-225 degrees F. The Micarta will fill your house with toxic fumes.

See if you can finish the knife, then disassemble, mask the handle area, spray the finish, bake, and then assemble keeping the excess epoxy off with cotton swabs and vinegar, or something that won't bother the new finish.

Good luck to you.
 
I've baked test pieces of black linen micarta at 350 before, It seemed to take that heat quite well. I didn't do any testing on it afterwards though, just looked at it.
 
Well Mike, you nailed it 'cause that's been my plan. I'm just being typically lazy. ;) But I think I'm going to try the test to see what happens, and if it seems to work I'm going to take the chance on the whole knife. :eek:

The major downside of that risk is that this is a piece of 20+ years old milspec knife handle Micarta. It's a cool object in its own right with a cool provenance, and the Afghanistan knife deserves it. I've been holding this chunk of Micarta for a long time waiting for just the right application.

Fitz, I'll be smart and use a small test. Thanks for all the vapor warnings, we have chronic illness and a baby around here so I'm going to have to choose my timing carefully.

At least the weather is cooperating this week! It's been over 40 for a couple days now; absolutely balmy. Yep, sleeping with the window open (but waking up with it closed... hmmm.... :D ).
 
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