Meindert Sprang wrote:

"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
om...
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.