Low Temperature Epoxy Resin?

saltwater_gypsy

saltwater_gypsy

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I am getting involved in a boat building project during this winter (in Scotland).
It is a 23ft, four-man rowing boat of epoxy bonded plywood lapstrake construction. The building site is in an unheated barn (perhaps slightly heated).
From what I have read , the minimum temperature for curing epoxy resin is 10C (50F). The problem at low temperatures seems to be that the components separate before the cure is complete.
We may not see 10C in this part of the world until April so any advice would be most welcome. Thanks
 
The usual way is to create a tent over the bits or area being epoxied and use a fan heater. Just today I epoxied a filler piece in a redundant skin fitting hole and epoxied the exposed wood of the new hole. Ran a fan heater in the empty engine compartment with the covers on for about 4 hours. Cured fine. Ambient temperature got up to 6c today.
 
It might be worth contacting WESSEX RESINS

In addition to curing the resins you are likely have trouble with condensation. Probably, regardless of the temperature, I suspect you will be advised to ensure that the temperature of the job is about 5° above the dew point. In that respect lpg fueled space heaters may not be much help.
 
What about cascophen or cascamite, I think they will set at lower temps. Plus they are not humidty sensitive (to an extent!)
 
Cascophen definately doesn't work at low temps. If the temp dips much below about 10C when it is curing, the joint will fall to bits when the clamps are loosened.
A
Get charity shop electric blankets and cover the work with a bubble wrap tent. I used one on a rectangular frame suspended from the roof on pulleys. The pox was OK down to 12/14 C and the tent kept it up to about 18 with a little heat.
 
I have used West epoxy for over 20 years, many times in boats either unheated or poorly heated during winter months with no problems in that time. There are a few tricks as outlined below if it's really cold but it can certainly be done. 18 degrees celcius (64 fahrenheit) is a rarity in many places except for summer or indoors in a heated shop.
 
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Humidity as well as temperature are critical for epoxy.

You have to look at temperatures above 12 degrees and humidity lower that 72 %.

A simple heat lamp on the area/s will do the job, enough heat will reduce or eliminate the effect of local humidity.

Tngsten lamps are cheap and effective.
 
For the last 4 yrs I have been using Resoltech epoxies. (sold in UK by Connexion Technology) Another builder of the same boat as mine was having trouble with supplies in the Dordogne. I steered him to Resoltech and he has just bought a load, including a low temp hardener. Pierre Calmon is their sales guy and speaks excellent English. Have a look at www.resoltech.com (French and English). The Re.1010 is an excellent coating product and the Re 2040G glue comes ready thickened and works a treat on glued lap ply designs.
If you need Pierre's email PM me, but I expect Connexion can answer any questions.
Andrew

The other builder is also in an unheated barn, around -1C at night at the moment. 8/10 daytime.
 
Just checked the job I did yesterday. Not only was the work piece cured where I had the fan heater running, but the remains in the pot was also fully cired even though out in the open. It was Blue Gee with filler of microbaloons and wood fibres. Not sure I would do structural joints or coating in the same environment though!
 
Epoxy curing

The reaction is exothermic, so if you have plenty of it it will go off in most conditions once it is started with some heat, bigger problem is with thinner coatings. I would worry about structural joints, though, unless optimum conditions can be met.
 
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