Hi,

I have a question regarding curing epoxy to get the best results. The project is a hand layup of fiberglass 3 oz and I'm working with a room temperature curing epoxy with the following properties:
- Gel Time (@ 21C) 38 min
- Demold Time 24hr
- Deflection temp 53 C
- full cure at room temperature 7 days

I'm a lite confused about what is considered the

"

curing'' and 

"post-cure" period, when and how much heat to apply (and for how long).

Thanks

Alexandre

The demould time is when you can remove it from the mould.  The epoxy will only be partially cured at demould and depending on temperature, can take a few weeks to a month or two to fully cure internally.

A post cure is used to either accelerate the cure process and/or to maximise the HDT  of the resin by  doing an additional higher temperature cure after the main cure at room temperature..

The manufacturers data should list the  recommend post cure cycles and if you can cure the resin at elevated temperature from the outset.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant