For some reason, I see the following statement (below) and wonder how many
are missing what the value-add is from the branded epoxy companies. Just
because base resins come from major manufacturers doesn't mean everybody's
epoxy is the same. Take a look at the MSDS's (safety) and the physical
properties tech sheet and you will see that they ARE indeed different from
the different companies. Why? It's like saying all aluminum or all steel
or all stainless steel is the same because all aluminums use aluminum and
all steels use iron. The difference comes from what goes INTO the
hardeners. The additions that make a hardener a hardener are what control
the final physical properties of the cured epoxy. All epoxies are not the
same. OK, I simplified. The truth is that the resins ALSO vary and this
impacts the physical properties of the epoxy too. They just are not all the
same, end of story. Get the spec sheets, compare to WEST or System Three,
then buy whatever brand you want that comes close.

Brian

http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass (My boat)

"Matt Langenfeld" wrote in message
link.net...
Where do you get Dow 330?

System Three, West, Raka, all brands come from major chemical producers.
I wonder how hard it is to get the epoxy direct and how much cheaper
would it be. I have Epoxy kits on my site but I'm not the distributor.



Richard Lamb wrote:

Meindert Sprang wrote:


"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
.com...


I hear lot's of stories... Like them at night before bed. But when it
comes to epoxy hardeners, most are extremely hazardous. Read the
lables, talk to the people who have developed real sensitivities to
the stuff, ask the DEP, ask the shippers, christ, read the F88888'
lable... Epoxy fumes are dangerous and many contain carsenogenics
(spelling not checked)... Do not use epoxy in areas where unprotected
folks will be exposed to the fumes.


Epoxy does not contain volatile organic solvents, as opposed to
polyester,
which containts high amounts of styrene.
If you read the MSDS's of epoxy and hardener, you'll see that epoxy
products
cause problems mainly by skin contact. The 'main route of entry' stated
is
always skin contact. They all say modest ventilation is enough, except
in
tight areas. Now read a MSDS of polyester. Compared to epoxy, this
"scares
the hell out of you".

Oh, by the way, West epoxy and hardener (205/105) contain no
carcinogenics.

Meindert



Amen, brother!


Dow 330, which I've used for years, has no MDAs either.

And, it's a really good laminating resin for wetting out
glass, carbon, paper, etc.

How ever...

These types of epoxies may be adversely effected by low temps.
Something comes out of solution and the resin looks "grainy".
In this condition, resins will not cure (ever?)

All easily corrected by warming the resin in a hot water bath
until the visual indicators disappear.