Micarta resin/epoxy?

S

SR_matt

Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
623
Hey,
from looking around i see that for the Micarta you use a resin or epoxy that is longer curing... but i cant fine any names or examples of the epoxies used. can some one give me a brand name/ type number or name or a link.

thanks
-matt
 
thanks, is that the resin noted at "105", and if so what hardener woudl work best?

thanks
-matt
 
I would try googling "carbon fiber epoxy". You want your epoxy to be able to get pretty stiff or you'll have trouble with finish in the end. Also, the resin needs to provide the right wetting performance.
I don't know about the marine epoxy, but I've heard it isn't cheap, so why not go with something designed for this creating laminates?
 
Water clear Epoxy laminating resin is what you want. Polyester resin will work, but is not UV stable, shrinks too much, and is not as weather or solvent resistant as a quaility epoxy resin.
 
I use fiberglass resin from WalMart. It is about $10.00. I like it because it is easy to get and the scales seem a little more flexible without breaking.
 
trentu said:
I use fiberglass resin from WalMart. It is about $10.00. I like it because it is easy to get and the scales seem a little more flexible without breaking.
Click to expand...

Polyester resin is the standard for a lot of this sort of thing. They've been making surfboards out of it for decades and that's pretty harsh duty. The nice thing about polyester vs. epoxy is that it tends not to distort the colors of the textile you're using as much (less of the wet look).

I've heard folks say the epoxy is more UV stable than polyester. Some carbon fiber car-parts makers say the same. If this is true, there must be UV inhibitors added in because epoxy isn't particularly UV stable by itself. I suspect you could get UV inhibiting additives for polyester too if that's a concern.

Still, the 'trick thing' these days is the laminating epoxy.
 
thansk guys, i looked at those sights and tried googleing those things, im still just getting kind of confused, like ill find a site that matches what im googleing but then lookign through the products list i cant fine one that , at least by my understanding, matches correctly.

maybe im just looking at stuff worng or something. is there a sopecific brand name and type that fits this (i find one thing i think shoudl work but then the descriptions start to drift off some what or have a part that doesnt match up)

thanks
-matt
 
The reason I suggested West system was cause it's readily available. I've only seen two hardeners for it. One will kick slower for hot or tropical weather.

Try punching in "epoxy resin" on E-bay. I found some stuff that is crystal clear and is high viscosity for good wet-out. This one was used to lay up bows and claims to be hard and tough. A bit pricey by the pint.IF this is an experiment I'd go with West.
 
how much (roughly) is needed for a given size (basicaly how much have you guys gone through for a pice and what was the size of the piece.

i know it varies person to person but just a rough guestimation would be helpful.

also is the going price everywhere pretty much 35 for the resin and 17-30 for the hardener for small cans or am i lookign in the wrong places?

thanks
-matt
 
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