Epoxy Separating


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Melleen
Melleen
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Has anyone had this happen? This is the first time I have used a pigment additive in my epoxy and also the first time using a liquid mold release called Frekote 700nc. I was attempting to apply my first coat of epoxy to my plug as I have done on my first plug with good results. As soon as I started to brush it on, it started to separate. I was able to wipe it off very easly before it cured. However, I am wondering if it could have been the pigment additive.

This is only the second mold that I have done. The first one worked fine other than my plug construction, and plug surface quality was poor. So, this time, I did a lot research on construction techniques and proper plug surface requirements. After reading about different mold release types, I choose to use a liquid type. From what I have read, you can achieve a better molded part surface finish.

Any input would be great.

Thanks,

Lee Adams



Lee Adams

www.melleen.com

info@melleen.com
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Matt (Staff)
Matt (Staff)
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Hi Malleen,

The explanation for what's happened is likely to lie within the informationyou've given but I do need to remind you that you're posting within the EasyComposites Technical Support forum which is intended for our customers to gettechnical support on our products. As far as I can make out, the wax, semi-permanentrelease agent, 'ebay' casting resin and even pattern coat all seem to beproducts from a range of manufacturers but not from ourselves. Whilst we arecertainly here to help as much as we can, it gets very difficult to offerreliable advice or support to products that we don't sell and don't necessarilyknow. Not to mention the fact that it would be difficult to stay in businesssupporting only the products of other manufacturers and suppliers.

If you have general questions about composite materials, rather than needingsupport from Easy Composites' technical staff, then the any forums within the'Advanced Composites Forum' would be the place to post them.

As a quick bit of advice in the right direction for your problem, the fact thatit released fine the first time and not the second time has got to be the mostsignificant bit of information here. First time round you had a chemicalrelease agent and then waxed over the top of it. The second time round, did youre-apply the wax, or re-apply the release agent, both or neither? - The combinationof chemical release agent and wax can be very effective but it's fraught thingsthat can catch you out. Chemical release agent over the top of wax will liftthe wax and contaminate the release agent at the same time. Wax over releaseagent is OK but you should know that what happens when you separate the mouldfrom the pattern is that the wax will generally be lifted off the pattern andcome away with the tool. This means you're down to chemical release agent onthe pattern although it's not 'clean' and will still be carrying enough wax tocontaminate a chemical release agent if you then apply it over the top again.Therefore, your second release preparation should be only wax, or,alternatively, a full strip down of the wax and chemical release agent (using asuitable MouldCleaner) and then re-apply the chemical release agent as per manufacturers instructionsbefore re-applying the wax as per manufacturers instructions.

Also, you might find it very helpful to add some FumedSilica to your epoxy resin so that it behaves more like an EpoxyTooling Gelcoat and will be much easier to apply to a release preparedpattern or mould without fish-eying away.

I've explained the above in detail because this information should be helpfulto others who may be using our Easy-Lease Chemical Release Agent and Number 8Mould Release Wax in a similar way to how you've described so hopefully you andthey might find this helpful Smile

All the best, Matt



Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales
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Melleen - 11 Years Ago
Brian_s - 11 Years Ago
Melleen - 11 Years Ago
Hanaldo - 11 Years Ago
f1rob - 11 Years Ago
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