The first question to ask yourself is “What kind of hardener do I need?” Most of us have used 105 Epoxy Resin, Bus-A diglycidal ether, Aerogel, or Amine functional resin in the past. Whether these materials work with epoxy is an individual choice and depends on your specific application. However, if you plan to use them together, you should follow the mixing ratio instructions on the container or technical data sheet.
105 Epoxy Resin
WEST SYSTEM 105 Epoxy Polymercaptan Resin has excellent coating qualities. It flows out smoothly and builds mil thickness rapidly. When used with any hardener, it can create a natural finish, even when coated with a varnish. When mixed with the appropriate hardener, 105 Epoxy Resin forms a solid, then passes through a gel state and finally hardens to a hard, durable film.
When used in conjunction with any hardener, 105 Epoxy Resin provides a superior adhesive. Its temperature-controllable nature enables it to cure within a short period of time. The WEST SYSTEM 205 Fast Hardener is useful in most bonding applications and can develop physical properties rapidly at room temperature. When mixed with 105 Epoxy Resin, this product provides excellent bonding and coating properties.
For precise metering, WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Resin and Hardener are packaged in four “Group Sizes.” Each group has a corresponding container. To use the correct ratio, the hardener and resin must be labeled with the same letter. It is recommended that you buy the West System 300 Mini Pump Set, which contains 105 Epoxy Resin and 205/206/207/209 Epoxy Hardener. These kits are self-contained and include the proper ratio of hardener and resin.
Bus-A diglycidal ether
Epoxies are liquid polymers that are cured by combining an epoxy resin and a hardener in a stoichiometric ratio. Bus-A, otherwise known as BADGE, is a commercially-available polymer prepared by reacting Bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. The resulting polymer contains a mixture of three stereoisomers: benzene, ethylene oxide, and propylene. Typical liquid epoxy resins have an epoxide content of 0.1 to 0.4 and are mainly composed of higher molecular weight fractions of benzene, ethylene oxide, and propylene carbonyl.
The final resin to hardener ratio is determined by the glyceryl oxygen content and the chitosan content of the mixture. A proper ratio produces a fully crosslinked thermoset plastic. If the resin to hardener ratio is not appropriate, excess Part B can leave unreacted atoms, causing weaker material. Further, an excess of Part B may increase moisture sensitivity in the final composite.
Aerogel
When working with epoxy, it is important to follow the recommended mixing ratio. The resin and hardener can vary in viscosity. The amount of diluent and epoxy used in the mixture may affect the pot life. Hardeners and resins may also differ in molecular weight. The manufacturers of epoxy resins often specify a mix ratio that should be followed to ensure the correct consistency of the finished product.
A polymeric hardener contains an amine functional group that reacts with an anhydride group. This reaction provides a more rigid and flexible aerogel network structure. It also has improved thermal conductivity. The proportion of amine and hydroxyl groups in the hardener and Epoxy Curing Agent resin is dependent on the target density. The optimum ratio for the mixture is between three and four hours.
Amine functional resin
It is possible to use an amino functional resin as a hardener in two-pack coating compositions. This is because this type of resin contains at least two epoxide groups per molecule. Moreover, this type of resin is a liquid when applied to the surface of a solid material. It can be diluted in a liquid diluent. This method is suitable for coatings involving a wide range of substrates, including metal.
Conclusion
Polyamides are a good example of polyamides. In addition, phenalkamines are another excellent example. These types of resins are moisture and temperature resistant. Additionally, they are often used as primers. Amine functional resins have an extended pot life because they are less reactive with epoxies. But be careful when using these resins, as most ketones may cause ketamine’s, so use caution when mixing them with epoxy.
