Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Uni-Mould resin shelf life

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic25134.aspx

By Ian Mantula - 2/5/2018 6:37:44 PM

Hello Easy Composites.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances I have had to delay my adventures in mould making. It's now three years since I purchased the Uni-Mould Complete Mould Making Kit. The resin containers have never been opened but will it still be usable if I were to use within the next six months? It has been stored in a garage out of the sunlight but otherwise subject to normal UK temperatures.

Thanks for your help
Ian
By Ian Mantula - 2/6/2018 12:00:11 PM

 
Matt (Staff) - 2/6/2018 11:40:28 AM
 
Ian Mantula - 2/6/2018 11:37:09 AM
 
Matt (Staff) - 2/6/2018 9:46:23 AM
 
Ian Mantula - 2/5/2018 6:37:44 PM
Hello Easy Composites.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances I have had to delay my adventures in mould making. It's now three years since I purchased the Uni-Mould Complete Mould Making Kit. The resin containers have never been opened but will it still be usable if I were to use within the next six months? It has been stored in a garage out of the sunlight but otherwise subject to normal UK temperatures.

Thanks for your help
Ian

Hi Ian,

I'm afraid Hanaldo is probably right but for non-critical applications (like mould-making) then it's always work having a go to see if out of date resins are still workable and still cure. I suspect you'll find very quickly that the resins will have become extremely thick and unworkable given their age but it's worth having a look, just in case. If you can physically work with them then you should try to homogenise them again as best as possible and then conduct a curing trial. Your MEKP catalyst will be pretty feeble by now if it's also 3 years old and so if the resin looks workable it might be worth testing the cure with some fresh MEKP.

For vinylesters and polyesters (with a 6 month shelf life) three years is a long time though so I wouldn't hold your breath!

All the best, Matt

Thanks for the replies. I'll take a look and hope for the best. Unfortunate about the MEKP as I have a difficult time getting that delivered to the Isle of Wight! 
Of course if the resin is useless the next problem will be disposal, any suggestions?

Ian

Your best bet would be to try to cure it off. You're likely to still get a reaction if you mix up a big batch and add the MEKP (exercise caution here) which should cure it off; once it's cured it becomes an inert plastic and not longer needs special handling. If it won't cure then you will need to contact your local recycling centre; if you're an individual (not a business) then it's likely they will accept it from you, like they would tins of gloss paint for example.

Thanks Matt