Thicken Epoxy?
10-21-2012 | 01:39 PM
#1
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From: North Port, FL
Thicken Epoxy?
Hi Guys, I'm looking for something to thicken up epoxy so it doesn't run,more like a paste/filler. I've read that microballoons makes the epoxy weak so what else can I use? I read about a product called Cabosil but can't find it locally.
Thanks
Thanks
10-21-2012 | 02:19 PM
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From: The Sunshine state, when it's not raining!
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
Fiberglass such as Greatplanes Pro milled glass will thicken it up. But any additive will also speed the cure time. I personally like System Three's Gelmajik. It is an epoxy that when mixed is a gel. Wherever you put it-it stay's.
10-21-2012 | 05:53 PM
#5
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RE: Thicken Epoxy?
West Systems sells a Silica additive. It's labelled as an Adhesive Filler. You use it just like microballoons. It is supposed to make the epoxy itself stronger than microballoons.
Nothing I've ever used completely stops epoxy from seeping a little bit out around the edges. I've mixed the silica into the epoxy until I had a paste and packed it. There was still some epoxy that'd separated out around the edges. I simply turned the fuselage upside down and it migrated back. Checked about the same amount of time later and didn't see any.
The silica definitely shortens the pot life. That makes it easier to keep from running.
Nothing I've ever used completely stops epoxy from seeping a little bit out around the edges. I've mixed the silica into the epoxy until I had a paste and packed it. There was still some epoxy that'd separated out around the edges. I simply turned the fuselage upside down and it migrated back. Checked about the same amount of time later and didn't see any.
The silica definitely shortens the pot life. That makes it easier to keep from running.
10-21-2012 | 05:53 PM
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From: Garland, TX
10-21-2012 | 07:10 PM
#9
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
Colloidal silica is best.
If you have a table saw take a scoop of the sawdust from under the table. Works great as a filler additive.
If you want more info, read the link.
http://www.systemthree.com/reslibrar...Epoxy_Book.pdf
If you have a table saw take a scoop of the sawdust from under the table. Works great as a filler additive.
If you want more info, read the link.
http://www.systemthree.com/reslibrar...Epoxy_Book.pdf
10-21-2012 | 08:08 PM
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From: North Port, FL
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
I tried to find Cabosil locally with no luck, but the west systems stuff I can find here at west marine.
Charlie,thanks for the link. Lots of info there.
Charlie,thanks for the link. Lots of info there.
10-22-2012 | 05:43 AM
#14
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RE: Thicken Epoxy?
ORIGINAL: drube
I tried to find Cabosil locally with no luck, but the west systems stuff I can find here at west marine.
Charlie,thanks for the link. Lots of info there.
I tried to find Cabosil locally with no luck, but the west systems stuff I can find here at west marine.
Charlie,thanks for the link. Lots of info there.
Look up "FUMEDSILICA" on the internet. You should get 100's of hits which will include Cabosil and a bunch of other trade names. Fumed silica is an excellent thickener, possibly the best. Fumed silica is extremely lightweight and fluffy and it should be mixed in a container with somewhat tall sides to keep it all together
Another approach for your project is to use JB-Weld. It is ready thickened as it comes from the tube. Good luck
10-22-2012 | 06:53 AM
#15
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
I've read that microballoons makes the epoxy weak so what else can I use?
If for fiberglass and other composits, it depends on what you are using it for.
10-22-2012 | 09:33 AM
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From: North Port, FL
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
Thanks guys.
It's for a fiberglass fuse and light ply formers.
I picked up some West System 406 Colloidal silica adhesive filler. Will try it this eve.
It's for a fiberglass fuse and light ply formers.
I picked up some West System 406 Colloidal silica adhesive filler. Will try it this eve.
10-22-2012 | 11:34 AM
#19
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
ORIGINAL: SCALECRAFT
What ever you use, wear a good quality respirator.
Steve
What ever you use, wear a good quality respirator.
Steve
That is true, one can easily change a lot of things in life, lungs is not one of them...
Gerry
10-22-2012 | 01:02 PM
#20
Senior Member
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
ORIGINAL: SCALECRAFT
What ever you use, wear a good quality respirator.
Steve
What ever you use, wear a good quality respirator.
Steve
For fumed silica?? A respirator is something you want to use for volatile solvent based materials like paints and such.
A simple dust mask will work fine for dusts like carbon, silica, micro balloons and milled glass. Plus it's not like one is going to use this stuff by the pound. A teaspoon here and there is all it will take.
Disposable gloves for working with epoxy is a good idea. But again, unless you are working with the stuff constantly and in large amounts, the vast majority of us will never have a problem with sensitization to epoxy resin. Let's use some common sense here....
There are times to truly be cautious and send that message to beginners and there are times to not do that. Not everything we do in aeromodeling is dangerous
10-22-2012 | 01:07 PM
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From: North Port, FL
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
Thanks for the advice guys. Baby powder, that's the one I forgot about. I'll remember that next time.
I just got finished using the 406 adhesive filler.. That stuff is great! Just what I was looking for! Yay!
I just got finished using the 406 adhesive filler.. That stuff is great! Just what I was looking for! Yay!
10-22-2012 | 05:41 PM
#24
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RE: Thicken Epoxy?
ORIGINAL: MTK
For fumed silica?? A respirator is something you want to use for volatile solvent based materials like paints and such.
A simple dust mask will work fine for dusts like carbon, silica, micro balloons and milled glass. Plus it's not like one is going to use this stuff by the pound. A teaspoon here and there is all it will take.
Disposable gloves for working with epoxy is a good idea. But again, unless you are working with the stuff constantly and in large amounts, the vast majority of us will never have a problem with sensitization to epoxy resin. Let's use some common sense here....
There are times to truly be cautious and send that message to beginners and there are times to not do that. Not everything we do in aeromodeling is dangerous
ORIGINAL: SCALECRAFT
What ever you use, wear a good quality respirator.
Steve
What ever you use, wear a good quality respirator.
Steve
For fumed silica?? A respirator is something you want to use for volatile solvent based materials like paints and such.
A simple dust mask will work fine for dusts like carbon, silica, micro balloons and milled glass. Plus it's not like one is going to use this stuff by the pound. A teaspoon here and there is all it will take.
Disposable gloves for working with epoxy is a good idea. But again, unless you are working with the stuff constantly and in large amounts, the vast majority of us will never have a problem with sensitization to epoxy resin. Let's use some common sense here....
There are times to truly be cautious and send that message to beginners and there are times to not do that. Not everything we do in aeromodeling is dangerous
The respirators' function is based on the filter element one has put in it. Not the mask. It has a far less probability to allow leakage form where it contacts the face. Plus I the fluffed silica is a very small particle. The respirator can remove extremely small particles. There is a rating I do not remember right now for particulate filtration . I use the one that removes the smallest of small particulates.
Steve
10-22-2012 | 07:22 PM
#25
RE: Thicken Epoxy?
I suppose if I was fiberglassing a boat (again) I would worry about resperating amounts of colloidal silica. If I am measuring out tiny amounts with a Popsicle stick to mix up a 50cc batch I wouldn't be too concerned.
Sanding it is MUCH more likely to release it into the atmosphere than mixing it in with epoxy.
Sanding it is MUCH more likely to release it into the atmosphere than mixing it in with epoxy.
