Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Using real earth pigments in flexible resin - EF80

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic25353.aspx

By JFW67 - 3/7/2018 4:20:19 PM

I build skin on frame boats.  The skin is nylon.  I use F80 flexible resin to waterproof the cloth.
I have recently started using a white cloth and a customer wants the cloth coloured.  The colour of the finish does not need to be particularly even.
Problems:
1.  I have been told coloring the cloth may reduce the adhesion of the epoxy and nylon is not great for taking up dye. . . . therefore colour the waterproofing layer.  Is it correct that dyed cloth may reduce the epoxy adhesion.?
2.  I understand that colouring the epoxy should be done with either a purpose mixed pigment or that pigmenting it using solid pigment should be done by mixing the pigment thoroughly with the resin first to ensure there are no lumps/clumps, and then adding the hardener.    Are rare earth pigments okay to use or will they inhibit the epoxy acting as it should? 
By JFW67 - 3/7/2018 11:07:50 PM

 
Warren (Staff) - 3/7/2018 5:50:24 PM
You would need to speak to the pigment manufacturer to see if they are compatible with epoxy.  Ideally you would want them to supply a dispersion as they are so much easier to mix evenly as they are already a liquid.

Thanks Warren.  Much appreciated.