measuring polyseter resin mix

[towlerg]

Anybody know a trick to get 1% resin/catalyst mix. I've used metered pumps for epoxy but I guess the tiny quantities of catalyst make pumps a non-starter.

Rgds George


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[Strathglass]

One method is to use plastic tubs for the resin and syringes for the catylist.
The tubs were from SP but I can't remember where I got the syringes (It was from one of the discount GRP suppliers)
This allows you to vary the amount of catylist and keeps your fingers away from it.

Iain


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[lilianroyle]

use a syringe. all chemists stock them.

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[Joe_Cole]

I don't know where you live but if you know any agricultural wholesalers they stock syringes for dispensing medicines to animals. They cost a fraction of what chemists, GRP suppliers and chandlers charge. At our local one they also have a range of different sizes which is handy.

Joe

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day George,

As you will be dealing with very small amounts from time to time you could try the following.

Pick a container type and get a stack of them, I use 2 litre ice cream containers and milk bottles, the square plastic type with one side cut out si I can get an 80 mm roller into it.

Use a small flat batten or an old ruler and add water to the container of your choice, not resin, measure the water in a measuring jug or other kitchen measuring thingy, make a small cut in the ruler at the level and note measured volume.

You should finish up with 0.25 Litre, 0.33, 0.5 and so on, you can use the notch in the depth marker to transfer the mark into the container, or just stand it in when measuring.

The ratio is 1 to 2% any less and may never cure, any more and it may boil leaving voids in the cured resin.

Most fibreglass shops will sell you a dosimeter, a small plastic bottle with a simple measuring tube on top, just squeeze the bottle till you have as many millilitres as you require.

I should add that after about 10 mixes you will throw most of the measuring stuff away as the mix for standard resins is a bit more forgiving than epoxy and you will be able to estimate the quantities quite easily.

Do not use any metal items with catalyst and don't forget to protect your eyes from the catayst; if you see any small lumps or other indications that your resin is going off before you have finished, throw it away and mix a smaller batch. if working in a confined area use a mask that filters the fumes or have a good size fan alongside you. The fumes are heavier than air so will pool at the lowest point, this can slow the curing so the fan will help.

I hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend.........



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[William_H]

The professionals use a digital scales (weighing machine) The weight of resin then relates to a quantity of hardener dispensed from a syringe. Incidently I have found that MEKP hardener will go off as in become impotent after 12 months or so of storage. beware. As stated just give it a splash......
regards will

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[snowleopard]

the method that worked for me (having used over 1000 litres of the stuff on the last boat) was to mark my mixing buckets with lines on the outside at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 litres using indelible felt tip thet could be seen through the wall of the bucket. for the catalyst i used the measuring dispensers sold by all resin suppliers, they come in 10ml and 100ml sizes and are very quick to use- no fiddling with caps or measuring pots.

as has been said you soon get to know the quantity to use. generally i found that in summer i was down to 1% but up to 2.5% in winter. it's generally wise to keep the catalyst low until you get used to the stuff as it's very frustrating to have it go off in the bucket. i have even had quite a small tub start to smoke as it went off too quickly!

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