srah1953
Well-Known Member
I remember some time ago in a post a recommendation to put unhardened epoxy around a new deck fitting. What does the the unhardened epoxy do? Does bit eventually harden?
Thanks
Thanks
Unhardened Roxy
- Thread starter srah1953
- Start date
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
No, I don't remember it and cannot understand it. Epoxy with no hardener at all will never harden, it will remain a sticky liquid. Epoxy with insufficient hardener may go hard eventually but I see little point in taking a chance on it. Far better to bed fittings on a suitable sealant, there is a wide range to pick from. Poyurethanes (Sikaflex, etc) have been widely used but the new hybrid polymers are gaining ground. Butyl offers some advantages, such as not setting.
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
The epoxy hardener works by bonding to the resin at a molecular level. If you put insufficient hardener in then the resin molecules that don't have any hardener molecules to bond to will remain liquid permanently and you end up with a weak rubbery compound that is no use to man nor beast.
I can't understand the intention of the OP. All I can think is that the post he's alluding to mean using neat epoxy with the hardener but without additives such as microfibres or colloidal silica to seal any end grain or exposed GRP under the deck fitting.
Georgio
Well-Known Member
Do you mean “un-thickened” epoxy, if so that is not a bad idea on a freshly cut hole in the hull as it should seal the surface.
I take “Un hardened” to mean resin with no hardener component added and this will be of no benefit at all.
macd
Well-Known Member
Fairly unanimous so far, and with good reason. +1 to all three.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Yes i agree with the others.
Epoxy sets by chemical rection between the two components which must therefore be accurately measured in the correct proportions.
( this is unlike polyester which is a catalysed reaction in which the speed of cure can be controlled by varying the proportions)
Epoxy can be thickened to different degrees and using different fillers according to the use.
Loadsa information on the use of epoxy resins on the Wessex resins website http://www.wessex-resins.com/westsystem/use-guides.html
Epoxy sets by chemical rection between the two components which must therefore be accurately measured in the correct proportions.
( this is unlike polyester which is a catalysed reaction in which the speed of cure can be controlled by varying the proportions)
Epoxy can be thickened to different degrees and using different fillers according to the use.
Loadsa information on the use of epoxy resins on the Wessex resins website http://www.wessex-resins.com/westsystem/use-guides.html
macd
Well-Known Member
Talking of Roxy, epoxy without the hardener is like Brian without the Ferry. Or something.
(See what happens, srah, when you're not cured....)
(See what happens, srah, when you're not cured....)
srah1953
Well-Known Member
OK. Thanks. I must have misread it
