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WEST SYSTEM user manual with hyperlinks 5th May

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1. s lt Dd v 2 Dispense resin and hardener in the proper mixing ratio All epoxies are formulated to a specific mix ratio of resin to hardener Itis important to mix epoxy in the precise ratio recommended by the manufacturer Increasing the amount of hardener will not accelerate cure but it will seriously compromise the ultimate strength of the cured epoxy NOTE WEST SYSTEM Mini Pumps are designed and calibrated to dispense the correct ratio with one pump stroke of resin for every one pump stroke of hardener 3 Warm resin and hardener before using As discussed above the warmer the resin and hardener the lower the viscosity Thinner lower viscosity resin and hardener will flow through dispensing pumps better cling less to containers and mixing equipment and exhibit superior handling and wet out characteristics The two epoxy components can be warmed using heat lamps or kept in a warm area until they are needed Another simple method of warming the resin and hardener is to construct a small hot box out of rigid sheets of foil backed insulation Place a regular light bulb or an electric heating pad inside to maintain a temperature no greater than 30 C 4 Stir the resin and hardener thoroughly Use extra care when mixing the resin and hardener and mix for a longer period of time than normal Scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing container using a mixing stick to reach the edges Using a smaller diameter mixing pot
2. Back to Contents Product Guide 45 8 Reinforcing Materials Episize Reinforcing Materials Specifically treated with an amino silane coupling agent for use with epoxy systems When used with WEST SYSTEM epoxy reinforcing materials exhibit significantly improved peel strength flexural modulus and tensile and compressive load carrying ability compared with other chemical finishing systems especially those reinforcing materials manufactured for bonding with polyester resins All reinforcing materials sold under the Episize trademark are manufactured under strict quality control guidelines Materials undergo periodic testing at Wessex Resins to ensure the materials selected for building or repair projects meet the highest possible standards 740 746 Episize Glass Fabrics Episize Glass Fabrics are ideal for building composite laminates and for the repair of fibreglass structures May also be used to provide an abrasion resistant covering for wood structures When thoroughly wetted with WEST SYSTEM epoxy the lighter fabrics become transparent allowing a clear natural wood finish Weights available 135 190 200 amp 280g m in lengths of 5 10 25 50 and 100 metre rolls 736 739 Episize Biaxial Glass Fabrics These non crimp fabrics combine two layers of unidirectional fibres 45 which are stitched together using a light thread The result is an engineered biaxial fabric with predictable repeatable properti
3. Figure 6 Clean _ the Figure 7 Dry the Surface Figure 8 Sand non porous surface Use a solvent if Allow wet surfaces to dry surfaces Provide a texture necessary to remove all thoroughly or use heat ora for the epoxy to key into contaminates fan to speed the drying Back to Contents User Manual 11 O D lt o m z c D lt fab v Primary Secondary bonding Primary bonding relies on chemical linking of adhesive layers such as the wet lay up of fibreglass laminate in a mould All the layers of adhesive cure together in a single fused layer Epoxy applied over partially cured epoxy will chemically link with it to form a primary bond The ability to chemically link diminishes as the previous layer of epoxy cures and the bond becomes a secondary bond Secondary bonding requires a mechanical rather than chemical linking of an adhesive to a material or cured epoxy surface The adhesive must key into pores or scratches in the surface a microscopic version of a dovetail joint Correct surface preparation provides a texture that will help link the cured epoxy to the surface Special preparation for various materials Cured epoxy Amine blush can appear as a wax like film on cured epoxy surfaces It is a by product of the curing process and is more noticeable in cool moist conditions Amine blush can clog sandpaper and inhibit subsequent bonding but it is water soluble and can easil
4. eirin 421 Fire Resistant Special C 2 see Fire Retardant Coating Coating 2a ty O 2 422 Blister Resistant 2 22 8 Barrier Coating Coating 209 S 5 2 of 423 Low Friction Extra 552 S Graphite Powder Coating Slow 5 3 a ES ag 425 Antifouling Primer Copper Compound Coating Undercoat Colour Coating 501 506 PIGMENTS White Black Blue amp Grey WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin with either 205 or 206 Hardener has received Lloyds Register Statement of Acceptance MATS 1773 1 WEST SYSTEM User Manual WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin with 209 Tropical Hardener has received Lloyds Register Statement of Acceptance MATS 1772 1 Back to Contents User Manual 39 aNvgg SPINS PNPOd WALSAS LSAM 105 Resin is the base material of the WEST SYSTEM family of products on which all the possible compounds are built The resin is a Clear light amber low viscosity epoxy which when mixed with one of the WEST SYSTEM hardeners is formulated to wet out wood fibre fibreglass and a variety of metals It can be cured in a wide temperature range to form a high strength solid with excellent moisture resistance A superb adhesive WEST SYSTEM epoxy will fill gaps and bridge voids when modified with WEST SYSTEM fillers and can be sanded and shaped afterwards With roller application it possesses excellent thin film characteristics by flowing out and self leveling without fisheyeing The epoxy mix cures to a clear finish so that a nat
5. high rise tubes with ferrules and new resin and hardener reservoirs with lids 309 High Capacity Gear Pump Designed and built by Gougeon Brothers The home builder and professional alike will enjoy the efficiency of this pump The resin hardener mix is delivered with continuous rotation of the crank Dispenses approximately 500g per minute yet can dispense smaller quantities with partial crank rotation A positive shut off value eliminates resin and hardener loss and dripping spouts Reservoirs hold 10kg of resin 5kg of hardener Also available in 309 3 Special ratio configuration for use with 207 or 209 Hardeners Product Guide 42 Back to Contents 8 3 REPAIR PACKS AND RESIN PACKS 101 Mini Pack Contains a selected mix of materials used to complete smaller repairs around the boat in the workshop or at home Contents include 250g 105 Resin 50g 205 Hardener 403 amp 407 fillers dispensing syringes application tools gloves and instructions 104 Junior Pack A 600g pack of WEST SYSTEM epoxy 105 205 Designed for the small user or a refill for the Handy Repair Pack 100 Support Pack Ideal to complement the Junior Pack and when combined with that pack creates a kit capable of completing most small repair jobs Contents include 403 406 and 407 fillers glue brushes mixing sticks graduated mixing pots gloves syringes and glass tape G 5 Five Minute Adhesive An easy to use two part fast setting resin nardener
6. ting out before bonding flat ing filleting filleting fairing bonding applying panels with large hardware bond bonding uneven fibreglass graph surface areas ing surfaces ite and other injecting with fabrics syringe Figure 5 Epoxy can be thickened to the ideal consistency needed for a particular job The procedures in this manual refer to four common consistencies syrup ketchup mayonnaise and peanut butter Additives Although additives are blended with mixed epoxy in a similar two step process they are not designed to thicken the epoxy Additives give the epoxy additional physical properties when used as a coating and pigments provide a colour base for future overcoating with quality marine paint Refer to the descriptions of the additives on page 45 User Manual 10 Back to Contents 3 BASIC TECHNIQUES The following procedures are common to the majority of repair or building projects on the boat or in the home and regardless of the type of structure or material on which work is being carried out 3 1 Surface preparation Whether bonding fairing or applying fabrics the success of the application depends not only on the strength of the epoxy but also on how well the epoxy adheres to the surface to which it is being applied Unless bonding to partially cured epoxy the strength of the bond relies on the ability of the epoxy to mechanically key into the surface Thus the following three steps
7. applied with epoxy Use a heat gun to warm and soften the epoxy Begin in a small area near a corner or edge Apply heat until a putty knife or chisel can be slipped under the cloth about 50 C Grab the edge with a pair of pliers and slowly pull up the cloth while heating just ahead of the separation On large areas use a utility knife to score cut the glass and remove in narrower strips Resulting surface texture may be coated or remaining epoxy may be removed as follows Removing cured epoxy coating Use a heat gun to soften the epoxy about 50 C Heat a small area and use a paint or cabinet scraper to remove the bulk of the coating Sand the surface to remove the remaining material Provide ventilation when heating epoxy Back to Contents Hardwoods Thoroughly abrade with 80 grit paper and remove dust before coating Teak oily woods Wipe the surface with WEST SYSTEM 850 solvent or pure acetone and when the solvent has evaporated abrade with 80 grit paper Clean the sanding dust away and then wipe the abraded surface with solvent the solvent dries the oil at the surface and allows the epoxy to penetrate Ensure the solvent has evaporated before coating but apply the epoxy within 15 minutes of the solvent wipe Porous woods No special preparation needed but it is advisable to abrade with a medium grit paper to open pores Remove dust Metals Metals must have all previous surface pre treatments and c
8. formed in coating over porous material bare wood or foam O D lt o m z c D Z Q v After applying epoxy with 800 Roller Cover Surface tension causes force epoxy into pinholes with a stiff plastic epoxy film to pull away or metal spreader held at a low or nearly flat from pinhole before it angle Re coat and tip off coating after all gels pinholes are filled Pinholes appear in epoxy coating over abraded fibreglass or epoxy 1 Ensure mixing equipment is clean Avoid waxed mixing containers 2 Ensure surface is properly prepared Use correct grit paper for the coating e g 80 grit for epoxy See paint or varnish manufacturer s instructions for precise surface preparation Contamination of the coating caused by dirty After surface is prepared avoid contamination application tools and or fingerprints exhaust fumes rags with fabric inadequate preparation softener silicone Coat within hours of of the surface preparation Fish eyeing in coating After wet sanding rinse water should sheet without beading beading indicates contamination If rinse water forms droplets beads clean and dry and repeat operation see Final surface preparation on page 28 Contact Wessex Resin amp Adhesives Ltd or your local distributor for further technical help Technical support line 44 0 870 770 1030 User Manual 38 Back to Contents 7 THE PRODUCTS WEST SYSTEM bran
9. hardware to a curved or uneven surface or mounting hardware at an angle to the surface 1 Prepare the fasteners holes substrate and base as described above 2 Bond small blocks to the substrate to support the base at the desired height and position e g winch base Figure 19 A Figure 19 Support the base in position with blocking apply enough thickened epoxy to fill the void 3 Apply enough thickened epoxy non sagging peanut butter consistency to fill the volume below the required position of the hardware to a level marginally higher than the blocks If the gap between the base and the surface is over 12mm fill the gap in two separate layers to avoid exotherm 4 Place the hardware in position resting on the blocks Figure 19 B and install the fasteners AD 4 ab v T N gt N H U uI 5 Smooth the excess epoxy into the desired fillet shape around the base Figure 19 C Allow the epoxy to cure fully before loading Protect exposed epoxy from UV see finish coating page 29 Back to Contents User Manual 19 Bonding studs Bond threaded rods or studs into the substrate instead of bolts or screws and attach the hardware with nuts This variation is appropriate for many engine motor or machine installations Coat the base of the hardware with wax mould release to make it removable Although the hardware is not bonded to the substrate the epoxy
10. production finish coating but it can be applied over epoxy and is useful in some repair situations Unreacted epoxy will interfere with gelcoat cure Refer to 002 550 Fibreglass Boat Repair amp Maintenance published by Wessex Resins for detailed information on patching gelcoat over an epoxy repair Always follow the instructions from the manufacturer of the coating systems Nevertheless as previously stated it is recommended to make a test panel to evaluate the degree of surface preparation required and the compatibility and handling characteristics of the finish system User Manual 30 Back to Contents 4 COLD TEMPERATURE BONDING Epoxy can be used under cold weather conditions but special application techniques should be employed to achieve acceptable long term epoxy performance These precautions are not elaborate or difficult and do not apply to WEST SYSTEM epoxy alone any epoxy used at low temperatures may have its capabilities and performance affected which could promote significant problems if the epoxy is used in critical marine structural situations In fact due to differences in formulation not all epoxies possess the necessary characteristics to perform well when used under cold weather conditions The precautions are not elaborate or difficult 4 1 Chemical characteristics When an epoxy resin and hardener are mixed together a chemical reaction is started which produces heat an exothermic reaction The ambien
11. resin and hardener thoroughly before adding fillers Begin with a small batch allow room for the filler 2 Blend in small quantities of the appropriate filler until the desired consistency is reached Figure 4 Ensure the filler is thoroughly blended before the mix is applied 4 4 ab v T N gt N H U uI Back to Contents User Manual 9 Figure 4 Stir in small quantities of filler until the desired consistency is reached For maximum strength add only enough filler to completely bridge gaps between surfaces without sagging or running out of the joint or gap Asmall amount should squeeze out of joints when clamped When making fairing compounds add as much 407 or 410 as can be blended in smoothly for easy sanding the thicker the viscosity the better Spread the mix into a thinner layer either around the inside of the mixing cup or onto a flat non porous surface or palette to extend the working life CONSISTENCY Unthickened Slightly thick Moderately Maximum thick ened thickened ness SYRUP KETCHUP MAYONNAISE PEANUT BUTTER L S A m O ep lt Cp 2j m lt lt G v GENERAL APPEAR ANCE CHARACTERISTICS Drips off vertical Sags down verti Clings to vertical Clings to verti surfaces cal surfaces surfaces Peaks cal surfaces fall over Peaks stand up Coating wet Laminating General bond Gap filling
12. spidernet com cy CHINA High Gain Industrial Limited Tel 852 2322 1912 Fax 852 2323 7575 Email info highgaincomposites com CROATIA Chromos Paints and Varnishes d d Tel 385 51 331 750 Fax 385 51 331 016 Email tomislav gjurinski chromos bil hr DENMARK H F Industri amp Marine Tel 45 62 201312 Fax 45 62 201477 Email info hfmarine dk EGYPT MAPSO Tel 202 6984 777 Fax 202 6990 780 Email mapso soficom com eg FINLAND Bang amp Bonsomer Oy Tel 358 9681081 Fax 358 96924174 Email reinforced plastics bangbonsomer fi FRANCE Boero Colori France Tel 33 546281010 Fax 33 546281015 Email boero france wonadoo fr GERMANY AUSTRIA amp SWITZERLAND M u H von der Linden GmbH Tel 49 281 33830 0 Fax 49 281 26503 Email service vonderlinden de GREECE Delos Co Ltd Tel 30 210 4311271 Fax 30 210 4318364 Email info delos co gr HOLLAND Epifanes W Heeren amp Zoon B V Tel 31 297 360366 Fax 31 297 342078 Email info epifanes nl HUNGARY Nautik Boat G M Tel 361 2848729 Fax 361 2848729 Email nauticboat axelero hu ISRAEL Atlantis Marine Ltd Tel 972 3 5227978 Fax 972 50 269449 Email atlantis inter net il User Manual 52 ITALY Boero Bartolomeo S p A Tel 39 010 5500267 Fax 39 010 5500291 Email yacboero boero it LEBANON Bardawil amp Co Tel 96 11 894566 Fax 96 11 884187 Email bardawil bardawil com b MALTA Epoxy Resins Tech Ltd Tel 356 21
13. still provides a bearing surface that perfectly matches and supports the base of the hardware 1 Prepare the studs threaded rods by waxing the upper ends above the surface and cleaning the lower ends below the surface 2 Place a nut and washer on the studs wet out the lower ends and push them into the epoxy filled holes Allow the epoxy to cure thoroughly before attaching hardware and tightening the nuts Figure 20 Ti O 4 ep lt O a m lt Cc s lt Dd v af ART uk Eikli E a ii il bd F E F F T Gi Pa om F 7 Figure 20 Bond threaded rods or studs into the substrate as an alternative for easily removable hardware ELT 7 Be Pee Removing fasteners If a fastener needs to be removed at a future date coat the threads with wax or mould release contaminating the surface sufficiently to prevent a good bond Remove a permanently bonded fastener by applying heat to the head of the fastener with a soldering iron or propane torch Use a heat shield to protect the surrounding area Heat will travel down the fastener softening the epoxy with which it is in contact At about 50 55 C the epoxy should soften enough to allow the fastener to be backed out Allow more time for heat to travel along longer and or larger diameter fasteners 3 5 Laminating The term laminating refers to the process of bonding together a number of relatively thin sheets like pl
14. will also improve the chemical activity because the limited surface area will contain the heat produced by the reaction 5 Warm working surfaces Applying warmed epoxy to a cold structure will quickly retard the molecular bonding activity of the epoxy Ensure the structure and the surrounding area is brought up to temperature A hull for example which is colder than the User Manual 32 Back to Contents surrounding air may exhibit condensation and this moisture could contaminate the epoxy when it is applied Warm the structure as much as possible This can be done by constructing tents around small areas and heating with portable heaters or warming the area with hot air guns or heat lamps Small components or materials e g glass cloth can be warmed before use in a hot box as described in Paragraph 3 above 6 Prepare surfaces carefully between applications When coating under cold conditions a thin film of epoxy does not generate much heat The rate or speed of cure is therefore extended and some reaction with moisture in the atmosphere may occur resulting in the formation of an amine blush on the cured surface Immediately prior to applying subsequent coatings wash the surface with clean water allow it to dry thoroughly and sand 4 4 Cold weather storage WEST SYSTEM materials should be stored above 10 C with the container caps screwed down tightly Storing epoxy resin in extreme cold may cause crystallization but the formati
15. 220145 Fax 356 21 220145 Email togsuma global net mt NORWAY WEST SYSTEM Norge A S Tel 47 22233500 Fax 47 22180604 Email firmapost westsystem no PORTUGAL Tim Yachts Yacht Painting Service Tel 351 282 484 350 Fax 351 282 484 366 Email carlos timyachts com REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Waller amp Wickham Tel 353 1 8392330 Fax 353 1 8392362 Email carol murphy forbo com SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO Valteam Tel 381113283159 Fax 381113283270 Email valteam2005 yahoo com SPAIN Pinmar SL Tel 34 971 713744 Fax 34 971 718143 Barcelona Office Tel 34 932 214454 Fax 34 932 214160 Email pinmar pinmar com SWEDEN LOTREC AB Tel 46 0 8 544 80 940 Fax 46 0 8 544 80 909 Email lefant lotrec se TURKEY A R C Pazarlama Ve Makina Tic AS Tel 90 216 493 6227 Fax 90 216 493 6228 Email arcoazarlama antnet net tr UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Marine amp Elect Supplies Co LLC Tel 971 2 6740 900 Fax 971 2 6775 450 Email mescoauh emirates net ae Back to Contents tenance fe 300 Fis of All Sizes a a es n Velsheda the J Class Yacht racing during the America s Cup Jubilee has been restored using WEST SYSTEM brand products Sg e s i bai gt mf Wessex Resins tnd Ve anes ie ham Howse ham Lore 4 rol Enquiries 01794 521111 Technical Hel plir Email info wessex resing com Website www wess a ames a licence from Gougeon Brother
16. EA industry and direct experience with Flexibility Cost today s high performance boat builders Balanced epoxy performance WEST SYSTEM epoxy is designed for boatbuilding and repair by experienced epoxy formulators who know the engineering and the chemistry required for today s high performance composite structures With more than thirty five years of developing marine epoxies Gougeon Brothers Inc and Wessex Resins amp Adhesives Ltd have continued to formulate test and improve WEST SYSTEM resin and hardeners to create the most reliable and well balanced epoxy system available today Potential resin and hardener formulae ingredients and combinations are tested to compare fatigue strength compression strength glass transition temperature and peak exotherm Additionally samples are tested for hardness tensile strength tensile elongation tensile modulus flexural strength flexural modulus heat deflection temperature impact resistance and moisture exclusion effectiveness Such thorough testing ensures that any change in a formulation will improve at least one characteristic of the product without diminishing the other properties Comprehensive testing Continuing research and comprehensive testing are essential for the development of both improved epoxy formulations and better construction and repair methods In addition the material test laboratory also conducts extensive test programmes to support builders designers and indus
17. Ee ie _ iE ae ze a E _ BRAND ag Si a Over Thirty Fi Five Years oi Epoxy Technologyand Innovation Eir aen a ee User Manual and roduct Catalogue Contents USER MANUAL 1 User Manual Introduction 1 m 2 Handling Epoxy 4 zal 2 1 Epoxy Safety 4 L 2 2 Clean Up 5 2 2 3 Epoxy Chemistry 5 m 2 4 Dispensing and Mixing T 2 5 Adding Fillers and Additives 9 n z 3 Basic Techniques 11 3 1 Surface Preparation 11 3 2 Bonding Gluing 14 3 3 Bonding with Fillets 16 3 4 Bonding Fasteners and Hardware 17 3 5 Laminating 20 3 6 Fairing 21 3r Applying Woven Cloth and Tape 22 3 8 Epoxy Barrier Coating 26 3 9 Barrier Coating for Osmosis Repair 2 3 10 Final Surface Preparation 28 oTi Finish Coatings 29 4 Cold Temperature Bonding 31 4 1 Chemical Characteristics 31 4 2 Working Properties 31 4 3 Cold Weather Techniques 32 4 4 Cold Weather Storage 33 5 Product Selection and Estimating Guides 34 6 Problem Solver 36 7 The Products 39 PRODUCT GUIDE 8 Product Guide 40 8 1 WEST SYSTEM Resins and Hardeners 40 8 2 Epoxy Dispensers 42 8 3 Repair Packs and Resin Packs 43 8 4 WEST SYSTEM Packs 43 8 5 Fillers 44 8 6 Additives 45 8 7 Reinforcing Materials 46 8 8 Application Tools 48 8 9 Instructional Publications 51 8 10 Instructional Videos 51 Back to Contents 1 USER MANUAL INTRODUCTION WEST SYSTEM Brand epoxy is a versatile high quality two part epoxy that is eas
18. NEIS longer in cooler temperatures WARNING Curing epoxy generates heat Do not fill or cast layers of A epoxy thicker than 10 to 12mm thinner if enclosed by foam or other insulating material If left to stand for the full pot life in a plastic mixing cup the mixed epoxy will generate enough heat to melt the plastic If a pot of mixed epoxy begins to exotherm heat up quickly move it outdoors Avoid breathing the fumes Do not dispose of the mixture until the reaction is complete and the material has cooled 2 5 Adding Fillers and Additives Fillers Throughout this booklet reference to epoxy or resin hardener mixes is defined as mixed resin and hardener without fillers added thickened mixes or thickened epoxy will mean mixed resin and hardener with fillers added Fillers are used to thicken epoxy for specific applications such as bonding or fairing After selecting an appropriate filler for the job in hand selection guide page 34 use it to thicken the epoxy to the desired consistency The viscosity or thickness of a mix required for a specific job is controlled by the amount of filler added There is no strict formula or measuring involved visually judge the consistency which is best suited for the task in hand Figure 5 gives a general guide to the differences between unthickened epoxy and the three other consistencies referred to in this manual Always add fillers in a two step process 1 Mix the desired quantity of
19. Recheck the ratio whenever curing problems are experienced One full depression of each pump will give approximately 30g of mixed epoxy 1 stroke i 1 stroke Resin Hardener With Mini Pumps One full pump stroke of resin for one full pump stroke of hardener will give the correct ratio Dispensing without Mini Pumps Weight volume measure To measure 105 Resin and 205 or 206 Hardener by weight combine five parts resin with one part hardener Small quanities can be mixed by volume at the same ratio To measure 105 Resin and 207 or 209 Hardener by volume combine three parts resin with one part hardener by weight 3 5 parts resin 1 part hardener First time users If using WEST SYSTEM epoxy for the first time begin with a small test batch to get the feel for the mixing and curing process before applying a mix to the job in hand This will demonstrate the open time for the resin hardener mix at the present ambient temperature and give assurance that the mix ratio is correctly metered Mix small batches until confident of the handling characteristics of the epoxy User Manual 8 Back to Contents Mixing Thoroughly blend the two ingredients for 2 minutes longer in cooler temperatures Figure 3 Scrape the sides and bottom of the pot when mixing If using the mix for coating after mixing quickly pour into a roller pan to extend the open time rer Figure 3 Stir resin and hardener iil thoroughly together for 2 minutes eure CO
20. S Hardener Selection Guide Select a hardener for its intended use and for the cure speed best suited for your job in the temperature range in which you are working Hardener Temperature Range C Cure Speeds at room tempurature Mini Pump Hardener Resin Hardener Use Room Temp Gel Time Open Time Cure to solid Required 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 at 25 C at 20 C at 20 C 60g mass Thin film Thin film 205 General bonding and 10 15 60 70 6 8 301 A B coating mins mins hours or C coating min mins hours or C eee alee eee mins mins hours or C 209 General bonding and 48 56 200 260 10 15 303 A B coating mins mins hours orC Note Epoxy cures faster in warmer temperatures and in thicker applications Epoxy cures slower in cooler temperatures and in thinner applications m O D lt o m lt c 02 49 z Z Q v Filler Selection Guide Uses Adhesive Fillers Fairing Fillers Applications desired characteristics High density Lowest density Thickness of Resin Hardner Filler mixes High strength Easiest sanding Bonding Hardware Mayonnaise Consistency Increased fastener interface and hardware load capability maximum strength General Bonding Mayonnaise Consistency Join parts with epoxy thickened to create a structural gap filler strength gap filling Bonding with Fillets Peanut Butter Consistency Increase joint bonding area and create a structural brace b
21. S AND SOLVENTS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN User Manual 4 Back to Contents For additional safety information or data write to EPOXY SAFETY Wessex Resins amp Adhesives Limited Cupernham House Cupernham Lane Romsey Hampshire SO51 7LF 2 2 Clean Up Contain spills with sand clay or other inert absorbent materials and use a scraper to collect as much material as possible Follow up with absorbent towels DO NOT use either sawdust or other fine cellulose materials to absorb hardeners and or dispose of hardener in waste containing sawdust or other fine cellulose materials spontaneous combustion may occur Clean resin or mixed epoxy residue or uncured epoxy with WEST SYSTEM 850 Cleaning Solvent Clean hardener residue with warm soapy water Dispose of resin hardener and empty containers safely in accord with local disposal regulations DO NOT dispose of resin or hardener in a liquid state Waste resin and hardener should be mixed and cured in small quantities to a non hazardous inert solid CAUTION Large volumes of curing epoxy can become hot enough to ignite surrounding combustible materials and produce hazardous fumes Place containers of mixed epoxy in a safe and ventilated area away from workers and combustible materials Dispose of the solid mass when the cure is complete and the mass has cooled Comply with the local disposal regulations 2 3 Epoxy Chemistry Understanding cure time Open time and cure time deter
22. TEM epoxy mix Colour off white 404 High Density Filler A filler developed to maximise bond strength in hardware bonding where high cyclic loads are anticipated It can also be used for filleting and gap filling applications May be added to the resin hardener at a rate of 35 to 60 by weight depending on the viscosity needed Colour off white 405 Filleting Blend Consists of a mix of cellulose fibres and other fillers for use in filleting applications when a naturally finished interior is intended Alchohol or waterbased stains may be added to adjust the colour Add 15 to 25 by weight to the epoxy mix Colour tan 406 Colloidal Silica General purpose thickening additive suitable for bonding gap filling and filleting It can be used to prevent resin flow on vertical and overhead surfaces and to control the viscosity of the epoxy It is often used in combination with other fillers to control the working characteristics of an epoxy mix e g improve the consistency of fairing compounds Add 3 to 8 by weight to the resin hardener mix Colour off white FAIRING FILLERS 407 Low Density Filler A blended microballoon based filler used to make fairing putties which are easy to sand but remain strong on a strength to weight basis Add 20 to 40 by weight to mixed WEST SYSTEM epoxy Cures to a dark reddish brown colour 410 Microlight is the ideal low density filler for creating a lightweight easily worked fairing compound espe
23. al 16 Back to Contents 4 When the fillet has fully cured sand smooth with 80 grit sandpaper Wipe the surface clean of dust and apply two or three coats of resin nardener over the entire fillet area before final finishing 3 4 Bonding fasteners and hardware Installing screws and other threaded fasteners with WEST SYSTEM epoxy dramatically improves the load carrying capacity of the fastener by spreading the load into a greater area of the substrate There are several methods of hardware bonding dependent upon the loads carried by the hardware Basic fastener bonding For improved pullout strength and eliminating moisture ingress the easiest method is to simply wet out stripped fastener holes and new pilot holes before installing the screws Epoxy penetrates the fibre around the hole effectively increasing the fastener diameter 1 Wet out a standard size pilot hole and work the resin nardener mix into the hole with a pipe cleaner or syringe Figure 15 Thicken a second coat of epoxy as necessary for stripped or oversized holes Figure 15 Wet out a standard pilot hole and install the fastener 2 Insert the fastener in the hole and allow the epoxy to cure Advanced fastener bonding For greater strength and stability drill oversized holes to increase the exposed substrate area and the amount of epoxy around the fastener If the fastener hardware can be clamped by other means the oversized hole can be extended to the end of th
24. ation page 11 2 Mix only as much resin hardener as can be applied during the open time of the mix Pour the epoxy into a roller pan as soon as it is mixed thoroughly 3 Load the roller with a moderate amount of the epoxy Roll out the excess on the raised section of the roller pan to obtain a uniform coating on the roller 4 Roll lightly and randomly over an area approximately 600mm x 600mm to transfer the epoxy evenly over the area Figure 30 Figure 30 Roll lightly and randomly over a small area Spread the epoxy into a thin even film User Manual 26 Back to Contents 5 As the roller dries out increase pressure to spread the epoxy into a thin even film Increase the coverage area if necessary to spread the film more thinly and evenly The thinner the film the easier it is to keep it even and avoid runs or sags in each coat 6 Finish the area with long light even strokes to reduce roller marks Overlap the previously coated area to blend both areas together 7 Coat as many of these small working areas as possible with each batch If a batch begins to thicken before it can be applied discard it and mix a fresh smaller batch 8 Tip off the coating by dragging a foam roller brush lightly over the fresh epoxy in long even overlapping strokes after each batch is applied Use enough pressure to smooth the stipple but not enough to remove any of the coating Figure 31 Alternate the direction in which each coat is ti
25. barrier and a smooth base for final finishing Apply a minimum of two coats of WEST SYSTEM epoxy for an effective moisture barrier Apply three coats if sanding is to be carried out Moisture protection will increase with additional coats and in the case of osmosis repair and protection six coats or about a thickness of 600 microns must be applied Six coats with 422 Barrier Coat Additive in the final five coats provides maximum moisture protection Additives or pigments should not be added to the first coat Do not add thinners or solvents to WEST SYSTEM epoxy Ti Cp ia Cp lt Cp m lt Cc n D s lt Dd v Disposable thin urethane foam rollers such as WEST SYSTEM 800 Roller Covers allow greater control over film thickness are less likely to cause the epoxy to exotherm and leave less stipple than thicker roller covers Cut the covers into narrower widths to reach difficult areas or for long narrow surfaces like stringers A paint brush can be used for smaller areas if the bristles are stiff enough to spread the epoxy to an even film Complete all fairing and cloth application before beginning the final coating Allow the temperature of porous surfaces to stabilise before coating otherwise as the material warms up air within the porous material may expand and pass from the material out gassing through the coating and leave bubbles in the cured coating 1 Prepare the surface for bonding see surface prepar
26. c z lt Q v 2 Shape and smooth the squeezed out thickened epoxy into a fillet by drawing a rounded filleting tool a mixing stick is ideal along the joint dragging excess material ahead of the tool and leaving a smooth cove shaped fillet bordered on each side by a clean margin Some excess filleting material will remain outside the margin Figure 13 which can be used to refill any voids Smooth the fillet until you are satisfied with the appearance A mixing stick will leave a fillet with about a 10mm radius For larger fillets an 808 Plastic Squeegee is recommended cut to shape or bent to the desired radius Figure 13 Shape and smooth the fillet Apply additional thickened epoxy to fill voids or make larger fillets Add sufficient mix along the joint line with the rounded mixing stick to create the desired size of fillet For longer or multiple fillets empty caulking gun cartridges or disposable cake decorating bags can be used Cut the plastic tip to lay a bead of thickened epoxy large enough for the desired fillet size Heavy duty sealable food storage bags with one corner cut off may also be used 3 Clean up the remaining excess material outside the margin by using a mixing stick or a putty knife Figure 14 Glasscloth or tape may be applied over the fillet area before the fillet has cured or after the fillet is cured and sanded Figure 14 Clean up the excess epoxy outside the fillet margin User Manu
27. ce polyurethanes They are durable and chemically resistant but offer limited UV protection compared to the linear polyurethanes Antifouling paints are available in a variety of formulations Most antifouling paint systems are compatible with epoxy and can be applied directly over a prepared epoxy barrier coat If unsure of compatibility or having curing or adhesion problems with a specific paint use the primer recommended for that antifouling paint over the barrier coat Follow the recommendations given for preparation of GRP surfaces Other paints including marine LP s and primers are not recommended for use below the waterline m o a lt o m lt c 02 49 D lt Q v Primers are usually not needed to bond a paint film to epoxy although interfacing primers may be required with some specialised bottom paints and high build primers are useful for hiding scratches or flaws in the substrate If the instructions on the selected paint or varnish recommend a specially primed surface follow the recommendations given for fibreglass preparation Self etching primers are not effective on an epoxy coating because of the chemical resistance of the epoxy Polyester gelcoat is a pigmented version of polyester resin used to build GRP boats and many other products Gelcoat provides a smooth pre finished surface and is applied during the production process of the boat or component part It is not often used as a post
28. cially suited for large areas Microlight is easily blended into the epoxy mix at additions between 7 to 16 by weight and when cured is easier to sand than any other filled system Holds a feather edge and is more cost effective than other fillers Not recommended for high temperature applications and should not be coated with dark colours Cures to a tan colour Product Guide 44 Back to Contents 8 6 ADDITIVES 420 Aluminium Powder Add between 5 to 10 by volume to provide protection from ultraviolet light in areas which will not be protected with other coatings and as a base for subsequent painting Will substantially increase the hardness of the coated surface 421 Fire Retardant A fine white powder added to the epoxy in the ratio of one to one by weight The cured material is a fire retardant composition for use in engine or galley areas 421 Fire Retardant will greatly increase the viscosity of the epoxy and the composition requires trowelling or squeegeeing into place 422 Barrier Coat Additive A proprietary blend designed to improve the moisture exclusion effectiveness of WEST SYSTEM epoxy and to combat osmosis It is an excellent additive for providing a barrier coating to overcome gelcoat blistering and also increases the abrasion resistance Add 20 to 25 by weight of 422 to the mixed epoxy 423 Graphite Powder A fine black powder added to WEST SYSTEM epoxy 10 by volume to produce a low friction exterior coati
29. ckened epoxy Re wet very porous surfaces porous surfaces leaving and end grain a void at the joint See Two step bonding on page 14 Incorrect products Clean and sand the surface following the preparation procedure on page 11 Sand wood surfaces after planing or joining Bonding area too small Increase bonding area by adding fillets for the load on the joint bonded fasteners or scarf joints Too much clamping Use just enough clamping pressure to squeeze pressure squeezed a small amount of epoxy from the joint epoxy out of the joint See clamping note on page 21 Contaminated bonding Bond Failure surface User Manual 36 Back to Contents PROBLEM POSSIBLE SOLUTION CAUSES Moisture from condensation or very humid conditions reacts with components in l uncured hardener Clear Coating turned cloudy Entrapped air from aggressive roller application Waxy film appears Amine blush forms as on surface of a result of the curing cured epoxy process Epoxy applied is too thick Runs or sags in coating Coating curing too slowly Fairing compound using filler 407 or 410 mixture sags and is difficult to sand Fairing material not thick enough Epoxy not completely cured Paint varnish or gelcoat will not Paint incompatible with cure over epoxy epoxy Epoxy surface not thoroughly prepared Back to Contents 1 Apply moderate heat to partially cured coating to remove
30. d epoxy cures to a high strength plastic solid at room temperature by mixing specific proportions of liquid epoxy resin and hardener By using a simple cookbook approach it is possible to tailor the handling characteristics and the physical properties of the cured epoxy to suit the working conditions and specific application of the project in hand 1 Begin with 2 Control the 3 Select the 4 Adjust the strength weight 105 Epoxy cure time or correct set of texture sandability and colour Resin the adjust to working MINI PUMPS of the cured epoxy with one basic ingredient temperature or of six WEST SYSTEM fillers of all WEST working time Adjust the viscosity of the resin SYSTEM required with one hardener mixture by the amount epoxy of four specially of filler added or provide specific compounds formulated coating properties with WEST WEST SYSTEM SYSTEM additives hardeners 403 General Wood Microfibres Adhesive 404 High Load High density Adhesive HIGH DENSITY FILLERS E Be 405 Wood Toned 205 4 a Filleting Blend Adhesive Standard Be T 406 General Structural 2 a5 Colloidal Silica Adhesive E O e ga ag ae 407 Light Structural 206 g Low density Fairing aS Slow 5 T 410 Lowest Weight 4 Microlight Fairing curing Hardener Oo Oe N Top oOo 0 Somat esea p p DE DES aac 5 OL D O t is Dga 258 Abrasive Resistant 2 E Aluminium Powder Coating 207 E z l
31. e fastener 1 Drill oversized holes approximately 7 3 the depth of the fastener Figure 16a 2 Drill a normal sized pilot hole at the bottom of the oversized hole to the full length of the fastener The normal sized pilot hole serves to hold or clamp the hardware in position until the epoxy cures 4 ab v T N gt N H U uI 3 Wet out the holes and the fastener with a resin hardener mix Allow the epoxy to thoroughly soak into the exposed end grain of the wood Back to Contents User Manual 17 Figure 16 Drill oversized holes to increase the exposed Pilot hole Li i ee L Epoxy interface substrate area and ays with penetration the amount of epoxy 2X into end grain around the fastener 4 Fill the hole with thickened epoxy adhesive filler Use 404 High Density preferred 406 Colloidal Silica or 403 Microfibres 5 Install the fasteners with just enough force to hold the hardware in place Allow the epoxy to cure thoroughly before applying load to the hardware Figure 16b m O 4 Cp lt O 2 m lt C s lt Dd v Bonding hardware Bonding hardware goes much further than only bonding the fasteners By bonding the hardware base to the surface the hardware load capacity is significantly increased by providing a solid bearing surface for the hardware It also seals the wood underneath and is a stronger longer lasting attachment than bonding t
32. ent Because of the variability of hull constructions and the complexity of the Osmosis phenomenon there can be no guarantee of a 100 success rate in treatments Recurrence is always a possibility but by following these instructions we believe that the risks of recurrence will be minimised 49 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI Back to Contents User Manual 27 3 10 Final surface preparation After the final coat has cured overnight wash with clean water and abrade the surface to prepare for the final finish Correct finishing techniques will not only add beauty but will also protect surfaces from ultraviolet light which will break down the epoxy over a long period of time The most common methods of finishing are painting or varnishing These coating systems protect the epoxy from ultraviolet light and require proper preparation of the surface before application Preparation for the final finish is just as important as it is for recoating with epoxy The surface must be clean dry and sanded and free of amine blush 1 Allow the final epoxy coat to cure thoroughly o a lt o m lt c D lt Q v 2 Wash the surface with a Scotch brite pad and water to remove the amine blush Dry with paper towels 3 Sand to a smooth finish Figure 32 If there are runs or sags begin sanding with 80 grit paper to remove the highest areas Sand until the surface fee
33. erate heat to complete the cure if necessary See controlling cure time on page 1 Use a different type of paint Some paints and varnishes may be incompatible with some hardeners If unsure test for compatibility on a coated piece of scrap material 2 Use 207 Hardener Itis compatible with most paints and varnishes Remove the amine blush and sand the surface thoroughly before applying paints and varnishes See Final surface preparation on page 28 User Manual 37 49 4 ab v T H N gt N H U uI PROBLEM POSSIBLE SOLUTION CAUSES 1 Mix smaller batches 2 Transfer the mix to a container with more surface area immediately after mixing Epoxy became es te cure time moos 5 very hot and ispensing and mixing on page 7 cured too quickly Temperature too warm Use 206 Slow or 209 Extra Slow Hardener in for the hardener very warm weather Application too thick When filling large deep areas apply mix in several thin layers 1 Coat the wood as its temperature is Air trapped in the dropping after warming the wood with heaters material escapes or during the later part of the day through coating 2 Apply a thinner coat allowing air to escape out gassing as the more easily temperature of the 3 Tip off the coating with a roller cover brush material rises to break bubbles See out gassing caution on page 7 Batch too large or left in mixing pot too long Bubbles
34. es Two fabrics are avalible 200g m7 2 2 Twill Weave or 280g m 4 4 Twill weave Avalible by the metre or in 25m 50m and 100m rolls Peel Ply is a finely woven fabric treated with a release agent to which epoxy will not bond Excellent for providing a release and reducing subsequent sanding prior to applying more epoxy Available in 100m rolls and 50mm and 100mm wide tape ia Lil i nil ji Bh E print LHA ij a aa F A mii it it i i EAT HL Wy Product Guide 47 WEST SYSTEM Product Guide BRAND 8 8 Application Tools 790 180mm Foam Roller Cover 180mm wide 45mm diameter foam roller cover 791 180mm Roller Frame 180mm wide bird cage roller frame designed for use with the 790 Roller cover 800 75mm Foam Roller Cover 75mm wide foam roller cover ideal for coating epoxy in small areas 801 75mm Roller Frame Reusable 75mm wide roller frames for use with the 800 roller covers 802 Roller Pan Flexible plastic roller pan allows cured epoxy to pop out so the pan can be reused Eliminates the need for liners 803 Glue Application Brushes Handy disposable glue brushes with a wooden handle These brushes are used for a wide variety of gluing and coating applications 804 Mixing Sticks 150mm x 18mm wide rounded wooden mixing sticks for blending epoxy and perfect for small radii fillets Product Guide 48 Back to Contents 804B Wooden Stirrers 300mm x 27mm square edged wooden stirrers w
35. es Weights available 318 446 amp 602g m in lengths of 5 10 25 and 50 metre rolls 729 733 Episize Glass Tape Versatile glass tapes are ideal for reinforcing chines hull deck corners and similar structural applications When bonded with WEST SYSTEM epoxy they provide additional tensile strength to resist hairline crack development and provide added abrasion resistance Available in 25 50 75 100 and 150 mm widths weight 170g m 726 727 Biaxial Glass Tape Available in 125mm width weight 446g m 45 This tape significantly increases structural strength where major reinforcement is required Product Guide 46 Back to Contents 25mm Graphite Fibres are continuous length fibre tows with a modulus of approximately 200 000 MPa They are much stronger and stiffer for their weight than nearly all engineering materials including steel and aluminium Graphite fibres are used as a secondary engineering material where space or size is confined yet are cost effective and contribute significantly to overall structural capability Average tow thickness is 0 25mm 324g m unidirectional carbon reinforcing tape used to improve tensile strength and stiffness in one direction while adding minimum thickness and weight The carbon is held in place by a glass thread for easy handling and wetting out of the fibre Available in widths of 50mm and 150mm Twill weave carbon fabric provides improved tensile and compresive strength to laminat
36. es an analysis of the factors that contribute to blister formation and illustrated steps for preparation drying repairing and coating for moisture protection Softcover 22 pages 002 150 Vacuum Bagging Techniques A step by step guide to vacuum bag laminating a technique for clamping wood core materials and synthetic composites bonded with WEST SYSTEM epoxy Discusses theory moulds equipment and techniques used to build composite structures Softcover 52 pages 002 740 Final Fairing amp Finishing Techniques for fairing wood fibreglass and metal surfaces Includes fairing tools materials and a general guide to finish coatings Softcover 29 pages 8 10 Instructional Videos 002 894 Fibreglass Repair with WEST SYSTEM Brand Epoxy A guide to structural repair on fibreglass boats Covers repairs to cored and non cored panels and how to apply gelcoat over epoxy repairs VHS 20 min 002 896 Gelcoat Blister Repair with WEST SYSTEM Brand Epoxy A guide for repairing and preventing gelcoat blisters on fibreglass boats Includes an analysis of the factors contributing to blister formation and steps for preparation drying repairing and coating for moisture protection VHS 16 min Back to Contents Product Guide 51 m Cp O lt Cp set m lt C 02 D 2 lt v Distributors of WEST SYSTEM Brand Products CYPRUS A amp F Marine Services Limited Tel 3572 4 636377 Fax 3572 4 663232 Email sokin
37. est chandlery or for additional technical product or safety information contact Wessex Resins and Adhesives Limited or your local distributor WEST SYSTEM products including selection and coverage guides to assist in choosing the most appropriate products 5 and package sizes for the job in fe i z hand i ai 7 WEST SYSTEM products ee e SSeS eee rr H i i a ees HHE i V are available from quality marine So S H Y LLI Back to Contents User Manual 1 Ti Cp 4 ep lt O ai m lt C 2 lt Dd v Why WEST SYSTEM brand epoxy All epoxies are different Epoxy brands vary considerably in their formulations quality of raw materials and their suitability for marine and other extreme environments Itis not difficult to market a general purpose epoxy for the marine industry or to formulate a product having some favourable characteristics whilst sacrificing other important physical properties However it is much more difficult balancing all the physical and mechanical properties necessary Moisture for a versatile high quality resistance marine epoxy Defining the required performance criteria Safety Toughness Fatigue resistance EPOXY Thermal and designing a formula to arengii PERFORMANCE properties meet those criteria requires good chemistry rigorous test programmes extensive field aa Pi Greep trials continuing contact with the IESIR
38. etween parts smoothness strength Laminating Ketchup Consistency bond layers of wood strips veneers planks sheets and cores gap filling strength Fairing Peanut Butter Consistency Fill low areas and voids with an easily shaped and sanded surface filler fairing compound sandability gap filling Filler suitability for various uses excellent x xx very good xx good x fair no stars not recommended Selecting Fillers As a rule use higher density fillers when bonding higher density materials such as hardwoods and metals Any of the adhesive fillers are suitable for most bonding situations The choice of a filler for general use may be based on the handling characteristics prefered Fillers may also be blended to create mixtures User Manual 34 Back to Contents Filler Characteristics Guide GENERAL FILLER CHARACTERISTICS 404 405 406 407 Mixing Easiest 5 Texture Smoothest 5 Strength Strongest 5 Weight Lightest 5 Sanding Easiest 5 Filler suitability for various uses 5 excellent 4 very good 3 good 2 fair 1 poor Filler Estimation Guide FILLER GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS KETCHUP MAYONNAISE PEANUT BUTTER 403 Microfibres 4 T 16 404 High Density Filler 35 45 60 405 Filleting Blend 15 20 25 406 Colloidal Silica 3 5 8 407 Low Density Filler 20 30 35 40 410 Microlight 7T 13 16 The table above shows approximate percentages by weight o
39. f the bonding surfaces sufficient so that a small amount will squeeze out when the surfaces are joined together Figure 10 User Manual 14 Back to Contents Figure 9 Apply resin hardener mixture to Figure 10 Apply thickened epoxy to one of the bonding surfaces the bonding surfaces As already stated the thickened epoxy can be applied immediately over the wet out surface or any time before the epoxy becomes tack free For most small bonding operations add the filler to the resin nardener mix remaining in the batch that was used for the wet out Mix enough resin hardener for both steps Add the filler quickly after the surface is wet out and allow for a shorter working life of the mix 3 Clamp components Attach clamps as necessary to hold the components in place Use only enough clamping pressure to squeeze a small amount of the thickened mix from the joint indicating that the epoxy is making good contact with both mating surfaces Figure 11 Do not squeeze all the thickened mix from the joint by using too much clamping pressure 4 Remove or shape excess adhesive that squeezes out of the joint as soon as the joint is secured with clamps AWEST SYSTEM 804 mixing stick with one end sanded to a chisel edge is an ideal tool for removing the excess Figure 12 Allow to cure thoroughly before removing clamps Figure 11 Clamp components in place Figure 12 Remove or shape excess before the epoxy gels epoxy that squeezes out of the join
40. f filler required to be added to mixed epoxy to product a Ketchup Mayonnaise or Peanut Butter consistency for the various filler products Estimating coating coverage of Mixed WEST SYSTEM Epoxy 1 0 Ka of Mixed Saturation Coat over Build up Coat over a g a Porous Surface at Non Porous Surface Adding fillers or Epoxy 25 C at 251C 105 Resin with 205 or 206 wetting out fabrics Hardener 6 5 7 5m 8 5 9 5m will decrease these gt 105 fe eco or 209 70 80m 9 0 10 0m coverages E a Mixed Weight required T Epoxy Mix to coat 1m at room The table gives the temperature gt approximate quantity of mixed 105 Resin with 205 or 206 135 epoxy required to coat a 1m Hardener g L area 105 Resin with 207 or 209 125g N Hardener 7 Please note the epoxy 105 Resin with 205 Hardener and z fairing mixes will provide J07 by weight of LOTE gt 407 Low Density Thick Layer an epoxy filler thickness of abproximately 3mm 105 Resin with 205 Hardener and ae as 16 by weight of 1 Okg 3mm 410 Microlight Thick Layer Back to Contents User Manual 35 6 PROBLEM SOLVER PROBLEM POSSIBLE SOLUTION CAUSES 1 Remove epoxy Do not apply additional material over non curing epoxy See removing epoxy on page 12 Off ratio too much or 2 Check correct number of pump strokes used too little hardener will equal stroke of resin and hardener DO NOT affect the cure time and add extra hardener f
41. g it into all voids and depressions Smooth the epoxy to the desired shape leaving the mix slightly higher than the surrounding area Figure 22 Remove any excess thickened epoxy before it cures If filling voids over 12mm deep apply the fairing mix in several applications allowing each application to partially cure before proceeding and or use 206 Slow Hardener or 209 Extra Slow Hardener depending on temperature Note On vertical and overhead surfaces allow the wet out coat to gel before applying the fairing compound which may sag or slide off the fresh wet out coat Apply the fairing compound while the wet out coat is still tacky o a lt o m z c D lt v Figure 22 Apply fairing compound to fill all voids and smooth to shape 5 Allow the final application of thickened epoxy to cure thoroughly 6 Sand the fairing material to blend with the surrounding contour Figure 23 Begin with 50 grit sandpaper if it is necessary to remove a lot of fairing material Use 80 grit paper when close to the final contour Figure 23 Sand cured fairing compound to desired contour AX 22270 Wear a dust mask when sanding cured epoxy Remove the sanding dust and fill any remaining voids following the same procedure 7 When satisfied with the fairness apply two or three coats of resin nardener mix to the area with a disposable brush or roller Allow the final coat to cure thoroughly before final sandi
42. gel 49 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI 7 Further layers of cloth may be applied immediately by repeating the steps above Back to Contents User Manual 23 Ti Cp aa ep lt O ai m lt Cc D s lt Dd v 8 Trim the excess Figure 25 and overlapped cloth after the epoxy has reached its initial cure The cloth will cut easily with a sharp utility knife as long as the epoxy is not fully cured If required trim overlapped cloth as follows Figure 25 Trim excess cloth after the epoxy gels but before it cures hard a Place a metal straightedge on top of and midway between the two overlapped edges b Cut through both layers of cloth with a sharp utility knife Figure 26 being very careful not to cut too deeply Figure 26 Trim overlapped cloth after the epoxy gels c Remove the top most trimming and then lift the opposite cut edge to remove the overlapped trimming Figure 27 Figure 27 Remove the topmost trimming lift the opposite cut edge to remove the overlapped trimming d Re wet the underside of the raised edge with epoxy and smooth into place The result should be a near perfect butt joint eliminating double cloth thickness However a lapped joint is stronger than a butt joint so if appearance is not important it may be advisable to leave the overlap and fair in the unevenness after coating Alternatively use WEST SYSTEM 743 tape
43. han a thin film the pot life of a resin nardener mix is much shorter than its open time mi o a lt o m z c 02 49 D lt Q v b Epoxy temperature The warmer the temperature the faster an epoxy mix will cure Figure 1 The temperature at which epoxy cures is determined by the ambient temperature plus the exothermic heat generated by the reaction Ambient temperature is the temperature of the air and or the material in contact with the epoxy Epoxy cures faster when the ambient temperature is warmer c The volume of mixed epoxy Mixing resin and hardener together creates an exothermic heat producing reaction Always mix small batches of epoxy because the greater the quantity the more heat generated the shorter the pot life and cure time In a larger volume more heat is retained causing a faster reaction and yet more heat e g a plastic mixing cup containing say a 200g mix can generate enough heat to melt the cup However if the same quantity is spread into a thin layer the exothermic heat is not produced as quickly and the cure time of the epoxy is determined by the ambient temperature Controlling cure time In warm conditions use a slower hardener to increase the open time Mix smaller batches that can be used quickly or pour the epoxy mix into a container with greater surface area e g a roller pan thereby spreading out the epoxy into a thin film and extending the open time After tho
44. hardener and thorough mixing of the two components are essential for a proper cure Whether the resin hardener mix is applied as a coating or modified with fillers or additives observing the following procedures will ensure a controlled and thorough chemical transition to a high strength epoxy solid Back to Contents User Manual 7 Dispensing Dispense the correct proportions of resin and hardener into a clean plastic metal or wax free paper container Figure 2 Do not use glass or foam containers because of the potential hazard from exothermic heat build up DO NOT attempt to adjust the cure time by altering the mix ratio An accurate ratio is essential for a proper cure and full development of physical properties Figure 2 Dispense the correct proportions of resin and hardener m O ep lt Cp 2j m lt lt G v Dispensing with Mini pumps Most problems related to the curing of epoxy can be traced to the wrong ratio of resin and hardener To simplify metering use calibrated WEST SYSTEM Mini Pumps to dispense the correct working ratio of resin and hardener For one full pump stroke of resin use one full pump stroke of hardener Depress each pump head fully and allow the head to return completely before beginning the next stroke Partial strokes will give an incorrect ratio Read the pump instructions before using the pumps and verify the correct ratio before using the first mix on a project
45. he fasteners only Itis especially useful to mount hardware on surfaces which are not level curved or uneven 1 Prepare the mounting surface and the hardware base for good adhesion see surface preparation page 11 2 Wet out the oversized hole with epoxy Allow the epoxy to soak into the exposed end grain of the wood as with fastener bonding 3 Coat the bottom contact surface of the hardware with unthickened epoxy Wire brush or sand the wet epoxy into the surface with 50 grit sandpaper Sanding the base coated with epoxy exposes the epoxy directly to fresh metal avoiding any oxidisation of the metal 4 injecta non sagging epoxy 404 or 406 mix into the hole Use sufficient mix to ensure there are no voids in the hole after inserting the fastener Coat the bottom of the hardware and the fastener threads with thickened epoxy Figure 17 Figure 17 Coat the hardware bottom and the fastener threads with thickened epoxy User Manual 18 Back to Contents 5 Place the hardware in position Insert and tighten fasteners until a small quantity of mix squeezes out of the joint Figure 18 Figure 18 Tighten the fasteners until a small amount of epoxy squeezes from the joint 6 Remove excess epoxy or shape into a fillet Allow the epoxy to cure at least 24 hours at 15 C before applying load to the hardware Allow more time in cool weather Casting a base Use thickened epoxy to cast a base under the hardware when mounting
46. he final sanding Follow the paint manufacturer s instructions but we suggest making a test panel to evaluate the degree of surface preparation required and the compatibility of the finish system 3 11 Finish coatings Coating function Paint or varnish applied over an epoxy barrier coat is intended to decorate the surface and protect the epoxy from sunlight In so doing the finish coating extends the life of the epoxy moisture barrier which in turn provides a stable base that extends the life of the finish coating Together the two form a protective system far more durable than either coating by itself Protection from sunlight is a primary consideration in the selection of a final coating Long term UV ultraviolet protection of the barrier coat depends on the effectiveness with which the finish coating resists UV and retains it s pigmentation and or shield of UV filters on the surface of the epoxy barrier coat A high gloss finish reflects a higher proportion of the light from the surface than a dull finish Therefore a white especially a high gloss white coating is much more durable Most types of coatings are compatible with cured epoxy which is an almost completely inert hard plastic Thus most paint solvents will not soften swell or react with an epoxy surface However it is advisable to build a test panel to assure coating compatibility It is always recommended to check manufacturer s instructions to verify compatibil
47. ill ensure thorough mixing when high percentages of fillers are incorporated into the epoxy Strong durable stirrers that are ideal for scraping excess epoxy from surfaces 805 Graduated Mixing Pot Strong reusable 800ml mixing pots graduated in 50ml divisions When cured solid epoxy easily pops out 807 807B Syringes Reusable syringes which can be loaded with the epoxy for injecting into difficult working areas Ideal for hardware bonding and plywood repairs 10ml and 50ml available 808 Plastic Squeegees Lightweight reusable squeegees for fairing and filling applications Double edged 90mm x 150mm 809 Notched Spreaders 110mm x 110mm Lightweight reusable spreaders with 3mm 4mm and 6mm notches on three sides for quickly applying modified epoxy at a constant rate Useful when laminating large panels 811 Paddle Rollers Ridged aluminium rollers for thoroughly wetting out fabrics with epoxy Available in 50mm 90mm and 150mm lengths diameter 22mm 817 Finishing Brush High quality brush for varnish or paint application Available in 25mm and 50mm widths 818 Laminating Brush Good quality firm bristle brush for applying epoxy over the laminating area and for consolidating the fabric Available in 50mm and 100mm widths 820 Resin Removing Cream Formulated to remove uncured epoxy from skin Available in 250 and 500ml dispensers and 1kg plastic pots 831 Barrier Cream An aerosol containing a non irritant m
48. ily modified for a wide range of coating and adhesive applications It is used for construction and repairs requiring Superior moisture resistance and high strength Originally developed by Gougeon Brothers Inc over 35 years ago for the production of wooden boats WEST SYSTEM epoxy products are now recognised throughout the marine industry and are in everyday use for the repair and construction of fibreglass wood aluminium steel composite and ferrocement vessels The knowledge that the WEST SYSTEM epoxy is designed for the marine environment a particularly harsh and demanding requirement promotes enormous confidence in the product range and in more recent years WEST SYSTEM epoxy has been used extensively in the construction industry model making and the DIY market for many applications See Our Booklet Other Uses Suggestions for Household Repair This Manual is designed to help you become familiar with WEST SYSTEM products and to use them effectively It also provides information about safety handling and the basic techniques of epoxy use which will allow the WEST SYSTEM products to be tailored to your exact repair and construction needs These techniques are used in a wide range of repair and building procedures such as those described in detail in WEST SYSTEM _ instructional publications and videos The Product Guide gives a complete description of the chandleries throughout the world For the name of your near
49. ity and suitability Coating types Latex paints are compatible with epoxy and they do an adequate job of protecting the epoxy barrier from UV radiation In many architectural applications latex paint may be the most suitable coating to use Their durability is limited Alkyd finishes enamel alkyd enamel marine enamel acrylic enamel alkyd modified epoxy traditional varnish and spar varnish offer ease of application low cost low toxicity and easy availability Their disadvantages are low UV resistance and low abrasion resistance 49 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI One part polyurethanes offer easy application cleanup and better properties than alkyds They are also more expensive and some may be incompatible with amine cured epoxy systems such as WEST SYSTEM epoxy although 207 Hardener offers good compatibility Test first Back to Contents User Manual 29 Two part linear polyurethane LP paints offer the most durable protection available LP s are available as pigmented or clear coatings and offer excellent UV protection gloss retention abrasion resistance and complete compatibility with epoxy However compared to other types of coatings they are expensive require more skill to apply and present a greater health hazard especially when sprayed Epoxy paints are available in one part and two part versions Two part epoxies offer many characteristics similar to the higher performan
50. ls and looks fair Complete sanding with the appropriate grit for the type of coating to be applied check coating instructions Paint adhesion partly relies on the mechanical grip of the paint keying into the sanding scratches in the surface of the epoxy If a high build or filling primer is to be applied 80 100 grit is usually sufficient For primers and high solids coatings 120 180 grit may be adequate Finishing with 180 grit paper is often recommended for coatings with high gloss finishes Grits finer than this may not provide enough tooth for good adhesion and may promote sags and runs Always follow the paint manufacturer s recommendations for surface preparation Wet sanding is preferred by many people because it reduces sanding dust and in addition Steps 2 and 3 above become one operation Figure 32 Sand to a smooth finish 4 When satisfied with the texture and fairness of the surface rinse the surface with fresh water which should flow evenly without beading or fisheyeing If the rinse water forms into droplets or beads a sign of contamination wipe the area dry with a paper towel then wet sand again until all water droplets are eliminated Figure 33 User Manual 28 Back to Contents Figure 33 Rinse the surface with fresh water after sanding Proceed with the final coating after the surface has dried thoroughly To reduce the possibility of contamination it is advisable to begin coating within 24 hours of t
51. m Instruction leaflet 002 150 VACUUM BAGGING TECHNIQUES The venturi generator develops over 65kPa of vacuum 0 065MPa and is designed to run off of conventional shop air compressors delivering at least 0 42MPa Some item specifications may vary Product Guide 50 Back to Contents 8 9 Instructional Publications 002 The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction This book is a must for anyone building a boat or working with wood and WEST SYSTEM epoxy Includes extensive chapters on composite construction techniques materials lofting safety and tools with many illustrations diagrams and photographs Hardcover 406 pages 002 550 Fibreglass Boat Repair amp Maintenance A complete guide to repair fibreglass boats with WEST SYSTEM epoxy Includes illustrated procedures for structural reinforcement deck and hull repair hardware installation keel repair and teak deck installation Softcover 75 pages 002 970 Wooden Boat Restoration amp Repair An illustrated guide to restore the structure improve the appearance reduce the maintenance and prolong the life of wooden boats with WEST SYSTEM epoxy Includes information on dry rot repair structural framework repair hull and deck planking repair hardware installation with epoxy and protective coating Softcover 76 pages 002 650 Gelcoat Blisters A Guide to Osmosis Repair A guide for repairing and preventing gelcoat blisters in fibreglass boats with WEST SYSTEM epoxy Includ
52. mine the build and repair operations Open time dictates the time available for mixing application smoothing shaping assembly and clamping Cure time dictates the time before removing clamps abrading or proceeding to the next step in the project Three factors determine the open time and cure time of an epoxy mix hardener cure speed epoxy temperature and volume of mix e Cure time is longer when t epoxy is cooler Figure 1 As it cures mixed epoxy passes from a liquid state Cure bme alter miscing through a gel state to a solid state Ty 5 gt O A z LL g al N g 7 LI Back to Contents User Manual 5 a Hardener speed Each hardener has an ideal temperature cure range At any given temperature each resin hardener combination will go through the same cure stages but at different rates Select the hardener that gives adequate working time for the job in hand at the temperature and conditions under which the work is to be completed The Product Guide describes hardener pot lives and cure times Pot life is a term used to compare the cure speeds of different hardeners It is the period of time a specific mass of mixed resin and hardener remains a liquid at a particular temperature e g a 100g mass of an epoxy mix in a standard container at 25 C is a routine quality control test procedure Because pot life is a measure of the speed of cure of a specific mass volume of epoxy rather t
53. moisture and complete cure Caution avoid out gassing see page 7 2 Use 207 Hardener for clear coating applications and for bonding thin veneers where epoxy may bleed through to the surface 1 Apply coating at warmer temperature epoxy is thinner at warmer temperatures 2 Apply epoxy in thin even coats 3 Apply moderate heat to release trapped air and complete cure Caution avoid out gassing see page 7 Blush formation is typical Remove with water See special preparation cured epoxy on page 12 1 Use 800 Roller Covers and roll the coating into a thinner film A thin film will flow out much more smoothly than a thicker film after it is tipped off with the foam roller brush 2 Warm the epoxy to reduce viscosity or apply the coating at a warmer temperature See Cold Temperature Bonding on page 31 1 Apply the coating at a warmer temperature 2 Warm the resin and hardener before mixing to speed the cure in cool werather 3 Switch to a faster hardener if possible See controlling cure time on page 1 Add more filler to the mix until it reaches a peanut butter consistency the more filler added the stiffer it becomes and the easier it will be to sand 2 Allow the wet out coat to gel before applying the fairing material to vertical surfaces See Fairing on page 21 Allow the final epoxy coat to cure thoroughly Allow several days if necessary for slow hardeners at cooler temperatures Apply mod
54. ng and finishing 3 Applying woven cloth and tape Glass cloth may be applied to surfaces by two methods to provide reinforcement and or abrasion resistance It is usually applied after fairing and shaping are completed and before the final coating operation It is also applied in multiple layers i e laminated and in combination with other materials to build composite parts User Manual 22 Back to Contents The wet method refers to the cloth being applied to an epoxy coated surface before the coating reaches final cure The dry method is to apply the cloth over a dry surface and then impregnate the glass with epoxy The wet method is preferred whenever possible Wet method Clear wood finishes By working with small quantities of epoxy it is stripper canoes etc possible to work at a comfortable pace over quite An i alternative wet out large areas to be reinforced method is to lay the epoxy onto the fabric with a short bristled brush Dip the brush in the epoxy and lay 2 Pre fit and trim the cloth to size Roll the the epoxy onto the surface cloth neatly so that it may be conveniently rolled with a light even stroke 1 Prepare the surface for bonding as discussed in surface preparation page 11 back into position later Do not force the epoxy into the cloth which may trap 3 Roll a heavy coat of epoxy on the surface air in the fabric and show through the clear finish 4 Unroll the glass cl
55. ng with increased scuff resistance durability and mar resistance Epoxy graphite is commonly used as a coating on rudders and centreboards or on the bottoms of racing craft that are dry sailed The epoxy graphite mix can also be used in teak deck construction to simulate traditional seams in appearance and to protect the resin from sunlight Additives are mixed with the epoxy to alter the physical properties when used as a coating Additives can be used to alter the colour abrasion resistance or moisture resistance of cured epoxy 425 Copper Compound 425 Copper Compound can be added to the mixed epoxy to provide a base coat for conventional antifouling paint When added to epoxy at the rate of 80 by weight the resultant hard surface increases the moisture exclusion effectiveness abrasion resistance and provides some backup antifouling properties It is ideal for coating any substrate that will be in contact with water and can be used when a harder surface is required eg coating moulds 501 506 Colour Pigments Can be added to the epoxy to provide a base colour for a final finish system The coloured surfaces also tend to highlight flaws and imperfections Pigments should be added at a rate of approximately 3 5 by weight and should only be added to the final coat of epoxy because the increased viscosity of the mix will impair the ability of the epoxy to penetrate and seal surfaces Available in white black blue and grey
56. of surface preparation are a critical part of any secondary bonding operation For good adhesion bonding surfaces must be 1 Clean Bonding surfaces must be free of any contaminants such as grease oil wax or mould release Clean contaminated surfaces with WEST SYSTEM 850 Solvent Figure 6 Wipe the surface with fresh paper towels before the solvent dries Clean surfaces before sanding to avoid abrading the contaminant into the surface Follow all safety precautions when working with solvents 2 Dry All bonding surfaces must be as dry as possible for good adhesion If necessary accelerate drying by warming the bonding surface with a hot air gun hair dryer or heat lamp Figure 7 Use fans to move the air in confined or enclosed spaces Be careful of condensation when working outdoors or whenever the temperature of the work environment changes 3 Sanded Thoroughly abrade hardwoods and non porous surfaces with 80 grit aluminium oxide paper to provide a good mechanical key for the epoxy Figure 8 Ensure the surface to be bonded is solid Remove any flaking chalking blistering or old coating before sanding Remove all dust after sanding The importance of the three operations detailed above cannot be stressed too strongly for high strength durable bonds surfaces must be clean dry and thoroughly abraded after removing previous surface coatings 4 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI
57. on of crystals does not compromise the resin and the situation can be remedied Heat water in a pot large enough to hold the epoxy resin container Remove the lid of the resin container to avoid pressure build up and place the container in the hot water Be careful to ensure no water enters the resin container Stir the epoxy with a clean stick until the liquid regains clarity and all crystals have melted Remove from the water replace the lid tightly and invert the container to melt any crystals which may be clinging to the top of the container If the resin pump has crystallized pumping warm resin through should dissolve the crystals To keep WEST SYSTEM epoxy at a constant temperature construct a HOT BOX as shown below 40W light bulb to maintain a temperature of around 15 20 C Box constructed using 6mm plywood and WEST SYSTEM epoxy filler mixed to peanut butter consistency to Magnetic catches create fillet joints to keep the door secure and maintain heat D Dimensions 30cm 30cm vas Note This box is designed to warm 49 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI a WEST SYSTEM epoxy B Pack The dimensions Wooden blocks for feet to 60cm should be altered keep WEST SYSTEM epoxy accordingly for use off a cold floor and to make with C Pack sizes lifting easier Back to Contents User Manual 33 5 PRODUCT SELECTION AND ESTIMATING GUIDE
58. on vertical surfaces 5 Spread the epoxy over the cloth surface with an 808 Plastic Squeegee working the epoxy gently from the pool into the dry areas Figure 29 As the fabric is wet out it becomes transparent indicating the cloth has absorbed sufficient epoxy If applying cloth over a porous surface ensure that sufficient epoxy is left to absorb into both the cloth and the surface below Try to limit the amount of squeegeeing as excessive work on the wet surface produces minute air bubbles which are placed in suspension in the epoxy This is especially important if a clear finish is required Figure 29 Spread the epoxy over the cloth surface with a plastic speader 49 4 Se ab v T N gt N H U uI 6 Continue pouring and spreading or rolling small batches of epoxy from the centre towards the edges smoothing wrinkles and positioning the cloth Check for dry areas especially over porous surfaces and re wet as necessary before proceeding to the next step If cutting a pleat or notch in the cloth lay it flat Back to Contents User Manual 25 on a compound curve or corner make the cut with a pair of sharp scissors and temporarily overlap the edges 7 Now refer to Steps 5 6 7 8 and 9 detailed above in the wet method to complete the procedure 3 8 Epoxy barrier coating The object of barrier coating is to build up an epoxy thickness that provides an effective moisture
59. ontaminants e g rust removed taking the surface back to the bare metal by thoroughly degreasing then abrading with a coarse paper such as 80 grit or grit blasting and then degreasing again The use of an adhesion promoter is advised on non ferrous metal substrates Given below is the preparation for the more common metals used in boat building Mild Steel Degrease and then thoroughly abrade ideally grit blast removing all contamination to expose bright metal Apply epoxy as soon as possible and certainly within 4 hours after surface has been prepared Stainless Steel Degrease and then thoroughly abrade ideally grit blast removing all contamination and the stainless coating to expose bright metal Apply epoxy as soon as possible and certainly within 4 hours after surface has been prepared Aluminium Non anodised material must be degreased and either thoroughly abraded or chemically etched sulphuric acid sodium dichromate solution or branded aluminium etch compound Anodised aluminium and anodised aluminium alloys must be bonded as quickly as possible after degreasing and abrading and certainly within 30 minutes Hard anodised aluminium alloy must be stripped by abrasive blasting or by etching in sulphuric acid sodium dichromate solution or branded aluminium etch compound Unstripped metal is not suitable for bonding Polyester GRP Remove contamination with WEST SYSTEM 850 Solvent Thoroughly abrade with 80 grit paper
60. or faster cure thoroughness of the 3 Check for correct pump 5 1 or 3 1 ratio cure and pump group size e g Group A 4 Check pump ratio see pump instructions See Dispensing on page 8 1 Allow extra curing time in cool weather 2 Apply heat to maintain the chemical reaction and speed the cure NOTE Unvented kerosene or propane heaters can inhibit the cure of epoxy and contaminate epoxy surfaces 3 Use a faster hardener designed to cure at O D lt o m z c D D lt Q v The epoxy Low temperature epoxy mixture has not mixtures cure slower at cured after the low temperatures recommended lower temperatures cure time has See understanding cure time amp cold passed temperature bonding on pages 5 and 31 1 Remove epoxy Do not apply additional material over non curing epoxy See epoxy removal note on page 12 2 Mix resin and hardener together thoroughly to avoid resin rich and hardener rich areas 3 Add fillers or additives after resin and hardener have been thoroughly mixed See Mixing on page 9 Insufficient mixing 1 Remove epoxy Do not apply additional material over non curing epoxy See epoxy removal note on page 12 2 Check for correct resin and hardener Resin will not cure properly with other brands of hardeners or with polyester catalysts Insufficient cure See above Resin starved joint Wet out bonding surfaces before applying epoxy has wicked into thi
61. oth into position over the Apply enough epoxy to wet epoxy Surface tension will hold most cloths saturate the fabric and the in position If applying the cloth vertically or wood below After several overhead it is possible to wait until the epoxy minutes lay on additional becomes a little tacky Work out wrinkles by epoxy to dry white areas lifting the edge of the cloth and smoothing from f epoxy appears milky the centre with a gloved hand or a squeegee due to high humidity or spreader If cutting a pleat or notch in the cloth overworking warm the lay it flat on a curve or corner make the cut surface by passing a heat with sharp scissors and temporarily overlap the gun or hair dryer over the edges surface Use low heat to avoid out gassing Be sure to use 207 Hardener for clear finishes 5 Any areas of cloth which appear to be dry white in appearance apply more epoxy with a foam roller 6 Remove the excess epoxy with a squeegee Figure 24 using long overlapping strokes of uniform pressure The object is to remove the excess epoxy that may allow the cloth to float off the surface but avoid creating dry spots by exerting too much pressure on the squeegee Excess epoxy appears as a shiny area while a properly wet out surface appears evenly transparent with a smooth cloth texture Subsequent coats of epoxy will fill the weave of the cloth Figure 24 Squeegee away excess epoxy before it begins to
62. page 11 Gather all clamps and tools necessary for the operation and cover any areas that need protection from spills Two step bonding 1 Apply a resin hardener mix to the surfaces to be joined Figure 9 This is called wetting out or priming the bonding surfaces The epoxy is applied with a disposable brush in small or tight areas wet out larger areas with a foam roller or by spreading the Bonding Joint strength the ability to adequately transfer a load from one part to another depends on the combined effects of three factors GLUE STRENGTH Careful metering and thorough mixing will ensure the epoxy mixture cures to full strength SURFACE PREPARATION For the best adhesion and load transfer the surface must be corectly prepared JOINT AREA The bonding or adhesive area of the joint must be adequate for the load on the joint Increased overlap scarf joints fillets and reinforcing fibres across the joint can be used to increase bonding area Preparation Joint Strength resin nardener mix evenly over the surface with a plastic squeegee spreader Proceed with step two immediately or any time before the wet out coat becomes tack free 2 Modify the resin hardener mix by stirring in the appropriate filler until it becomes thick enough to bridge any gaps between the mating surfaces and to prevent resin starved joints Apply an even coat of the thickened epoxy to one o
63. pen time also working time is the period after mixing that the resin nardener mix remains a liquid and is workable and suitable for application All assembly and clamping should take place during this period to ensure a dependable bond is achieved 2 Gel Initial cure phase The mix passes into an initial cure phase also known as the Green Stage when it begins to gel The epoxy is no longer workable and will progress from a tacky consistency to the firmness of hard rubber An indent can be made with the thumb nail and it is too soft to dry sand While the epoxy is tacky a new application of epoxy will chemically link with it so the surface may be bonded or recoated without sanding This ability diminishes as the mix approaches the final cure phase 3 Solid Final cure phase The epoxy mix has cured to a solid state and can be dry sanded and shaped It is no longer possible to indent the surface with the thumb nail At this stage the epoxy has reached 90 of its ultimate strength so clamps can be removed The mix will continue to cure over the next few days at room temperature A new application of epoxy will no longer chemically link to it so the surface must be thoroughly washed and sanded before recoating to achieve a good mechanical secondary bond See Surface Preparation page 11 2 4 Dispensing and Mixing 49 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI Careful measuring of resin and
64. port Helpline 44 0 870 770 1030 or by email techinfo wessex resins com we are always interested in your projects whether it is a major repair on a boat replacing a rotting window sill at home or a simple DIY job in the garage D 7 Lu 09 gt 09 H 09 LU Back to Contents User Manual 3 2 HANDLING EPOXY This section explains the fundamentals of epoxy safety curing and the steps for proper dispensing mixing and adding fillers to ensure that every batch cures to a high strength solid 2 1 Epoxy Safety Epoxies are safe when handled properly but it is essential to understand the hazards and take precautions to avoid them Hazards The primary hazard associated with epoxy involves skin contact WEST SYSTEM Resin may cause moderate skin irritation WEST SYSTEM Hardeners may cause severe skin irritation Resins and hardeners are also sensitisers and may cause an allergic reaction but from our experience most people are not sensitive to WEST SYSTEM Resin and Hardeners These hazards decrease as resin hardener mixes reach full cure but it is important to appreciate that the hazards also apply to the sanding dust from partially cured epoxy Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheets for specific product warnings and safety information m O D lt o m lt c 02 49 D lt Q v Precautions 1 Avoid contact with resin hardeners mixed epo
65. pped off 1st coat vertical 2nd coat horizontal 3rd coat vertical etc AWEST SYSTEM 800 Roller Cover can be cut into segments to make an excellent tipping brush Figure 31 Tip off the coating by dragging a foam roller brush lightly over the fresh epoxy Recoating Apply second and subsequent coats of epoxy following the same procedures Ensure the previous coat is still tacky but has cured firmly enough to support the weight of the next coat To avoid sanding between coats apply all coats in the same day See Special Preparation Cured epoxy on page 72 3 9 WEST SYSTEM Epoxy and Barrier Coating for Osmosis repair Osmosis otherwise known as gel coat blistering is a complex phenomenon The technical issues and repair instructions are contained in our specialist manual Gelcoat Blisters A guide to Osmosis repair It is essential to fully read understand and follow the instructions contained in it when considering a treatment Any such treatments should only be carried out under the close supervision of a qualified Marine Surveyor or by an experienced boatyard or Contractor who has clear evidence of successful past treatments Specialist yards or Contractors will have links with a qualified experienced surveyor and will usually obtain a full report prior to commencing a treatment We stongly recommend that advice is sought from a qualified Marine Surveyor concerning a particular hull prior to the commencement of any treatm
66. pumps ensure accurate metering of the resin hardener mix and eliminate the mess involved with hand proportioning The pumps mount directly onto the resin and hardener containers and have been calibrated to deliver the correct working ratio of 5 parts by weight of resin to 1 part by weight of hardener with one stroke from each pump When the resin and hardener are in continual use the pumps can be left mounted on the containers Order 301A Mini Pumps for A Pack containers 301B Mini Pumps for B packs or 301C for C Packs Warning do not use with 207 or 209 hardeners 303 Special Ratio Mini Pumps Designed for use with WEST SYSTEM 207 and 209 Special Application Hardeners The mini pumps mount directly onto the resin and hardener containers and have been calibrated to deliver the correct working ratio of 3 5 parts by weight of resin to 1 part by weight of hardener with one stroke from each pump See Dispensing with Mini Pumps page 8 Warning do not use with 205 or 206 hardeners 306 Model A dispensing Pump Ideal for dispensing larger quantities of epoxy approximately 15 grams of resin and hardener per stroke For projects larger than a dinghy a dispensing pump will soon pay for itself by reducing mixing time and waste The pump is complete with carrying handle Also available in 306 3 Special ratio configuration for use with 207 or 209 Hardeners 306 K Model A Pump Rebuild Kit Includes seals balls gaskets springs
67. red edge cloth to eliminate the need to butt join contact Wessex Resins amp Adhesives Limited or your local distributor for further information Any remaining irregularities or transitions between cloth and substrate can be faired by using an epoxy filler fairing compound if the surface is to be painted Any fairing completed after the final glass cloth layer should receive several additional coats of epoxy over the faired area User Manual 24 Back to Contents 9 Coat the surface to fill the weave before the wet out becomes tack free Figure 28 Follow the procedures for final coating in the next section It will take two or three coats to completely fill the weave of the cloth and to allow for a final sanding that will not damage the cloth Figure 28 Coat the surface to fill the weave before the wet out becomes tack free Dry method 1 Prepare the surface for bonding see surface preparation page 11 2 Position the cloth over the surface and cut it 30 mm larger on all sides If the surface area to be covered is larger than the cloth size allow multiple pieces to overlap by approximately 5 mm On sloped or vertical surfaces hold the cloth in place with masking or duct tape or with staples 3 Mix a small quantity of epoxy three or four pumps each of resin and hardener 4 On horizontal surfaces pour a small pool of resin nardener near the centre of the cloth but it is essential to use a roller or brush for wetting cloth
68. rough mixing the sooner the epoxy is transferred or applied the more open time is available for coating lay up or assembly In cool conditions use a faster hardener and employ a hot air gun a heat lamp or other heat source to warm the resin and hardener before mixing and or after the epoxy is applied At room temperature additional heat is useful when a quicker cure is desired NOTE Unvented kerosene or propane heaters can inhibit the cure of epoxy and contaminate epoxy surfaces with unburned hydrocarbons User Manual 6 Back to Contents CAUTION Warming a resin hardener mix will lower its viscosity allowing AX epoxy to run or sag more easily on vertical surfaces In addition heating epoxy applied to a porous substrate soft wood or low density core material may cause the substrate to out gas and form bubbles in the epoxy coating To avoid out gassing wait until the epoxy coating has gelled before warming it Never heat mixed epoxy in a liquid state over 50 C Regardless of the steps taken to control the cure time thorough planning of the application and assembly will allow maximum use of the open time and cure time of the epoxy mix Cure stages of epoxy Mixing epoxy resin and hardener begins a chemical reaction that transforms the combined liquid components into a solid As it cures the epoxy passes from the liquid state through a gel stage before it reaches a solid state Figure 1 1 Liquid Open time O
69. s Inc by ni _ Wessex Resins amp Adhesives Limited Cupernham House Cupernham Lane Romsey Hampshire S051 7LF w Telephone 44 0 1794 521111 Facsimile 44 0 870 7701032 b Technical Support Helpline 44 0 870 7701030 Ci email information wessex resins com Web Site www west system co uk in www wessex resins com a a p Published by Wessex Resins amp Adhesives Limited August 2006 Wessex Resins amp Adhesives Limited WEST SYSTEM Scarffer amp Gougeon Brothers are trademarks of Gougeon Brothers Inc registered trademarks and Microlight amp Episize are a w Bay City Michigan U S A WEST SYSTEM epoxy is manufactur d in the UK under
70. system This adhesive is ideal for quick repairs and general bonding around the boat and in the home the workshop or garage It is suited for spot applications to hold component parts in position whilst bonding is completed with WEST SYSTEM epoxy G 5 will adhere to most prepared surfaces including wood fibreglass and most metal and cures in 4 5 minutes 8 4 WEST SYSTEM Packs WEST SYSTEM resins and hardeners are available in these pack sizes Storage Shelf Life Store at room temperature Keep containers closed to prevent contamination With proper storage resin and hardeners will remain usable during the products shelf life Over time 105 Resin will thicken slightly and will therefore require extra care when mixing Hardeners may darken with age but physical properties are not affected by colour Mini Pumps may be left in containers during storage After a long storage it is recommended to verify the metering accuracy of the pumps and mix a small test batch to assure proper curing Repeated freeze thaw cycles during storage may cause crystallization of 105 Resin See Cold weather Storage page 33 Back to Contents Product Guide 43 8 5 FILLERS ADHESIVE FILLERS 403 Microfibres A blend of cellulose cotton fibres used as a thickening additive for bonding applications Epoxy thickened with microfibres provides good wetting out of the substrate and excellent gap filling properties Add 4 to 16 by weight of 403 to WEST SYS
71. t Single step bonding Single step bonding is applying a thickened epoxy mix containing 403 Microfibres directly to both bonding surfaces without first wetting out the surfaces with a resin hardener mix However it is strongly recommended that the epoxy is thickened no more than is necessary to bridge gaps in the joint the thinner the mix the more it can penetrate the surface and this method is not used for highly loaded joints or for bonding either end grain or other porous surfaces Back to Contents User Manual 15 49 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI 3 3 Bonding with fillets A fillet is a cove shaped application of thickened epoxy that bridges an inside corner joint It is an excellent technique for bonding components because the surface area of the bond is increased and serves as a structural brace All joints that will be covered with glasscloth will require a fillet to support the cloth at the inside corner of the joint The procedure for bonding with fillets is the same as normal bonding but instead of removing the squeezed out thickened epoxy after the components are clamped in position the epoxy filler blend is shaped into a fillet For larger fillets as soon as the bonding operation is complete and before the squeezed out epoxy becomes tack free add more thickened mix to the joint and shape into a fillet 1 Bond components as described above m O D lt o m z
72. t temperature in which an epoxy chemical reaction takes place affects the rate or speed of this reaction Warmer temperatures accelerate while cooler temperatures retard the reaction time If the reaction is too slow even though the epoxy may harden it may not cure completely and possibly never achieve its designed physical properties This is where danger lies for improperly cured epoxy may possess enough strength to hold a structure together yet may fail after repeated loadings during normal operation 4 2 Working properties Temperature has a profound effect on the working properties of uncured epoxy Ambient temperature changes will dramatically change the viscosity thickness of the epoxy When cold the viscosity of water varies little with temperature changes until it freezes but temperature can have an effect that is 10 times greater on epoxy molecules than on water molecules over a temperature change of 15 C Because of this the colder it is the thicker the epoxy becomes significantly reducing its flow properties This change has three important consequences for working with epoxy under cold conditions a It is more difficult to mix the resin and hardener thoroughly The resin flows through the dispensing pumps and out of containers with much greater difficulty and both resin and hardener are prone to clinging to the surfaces of the pumps containers and mixing tools Remember because of the low temperature the chemical reac
73. tion is much slower and compounding a less efficient exothermic reaction with the potential for incomplete and or inaccurate mixing is a recipe for a permanently deficient bond b The mixed epoxy is much harder to apply because the viscosity is similar to cold honey and is extremely difficult to coat and wet out surfaces 49 4 ab v T N gt N H U uI c Air bubbles may be introduced when mixing and remain in suspension due to the increased surface tension of the cold epoxy This can be especially troublesome in clear finish applications and osmosis repair work Back to Contents User Manual 31 4 3 Cold weather techniques Having explained that cold weather epoxy usage is both difficult and potentially dangerous with a little advance planning and taking certain simple precautions the problems detailed above can be addressed and their consequences avoided The following six basic cold weather rules have been used for over 25 years and we have yet to experience a cold weather curing problem with WEST SYSTEM epoxy 1 Use WEST SYSTEM 205 Fast Hardener WEST SYSTEM 205 Hardener has been designed with a chemically activated polyamine system which exhibits a good cure at temperatures as low as 5 C It exhibits a fast cure characteristic and offers less uncured exposure time thereby reducing the chances of incomplete cure due to cold temperatures m O 4 Cp lt O ai m lt Cc
74. to a dull finish and remove dust Ferrocement Remove all previous paints and coatings by wet sand blasting this is less aggressive than using dry sand and should not damage the sound surface lf after blasting laitance is visible on the surface or rust from the reinforcing wires can be seen then it is necessary to wash with dilute solution of hydrochloric acid this should be fresh water with a 4 to 5 addition of hydrochloric acid Wash thoroughly with water and allow to dry completely before coating 49 4 Se ab v T N gt N H U uI Concrete Remove all previous coatings and abrade with a stiff wire brush Remove all dust and debris before coating Back to Contents User Manual 13 Mm N lt O m z c n z lt Q 3 2 Bonding gluing This section refers to two types of structural bonding Two step bonding is the preferred method for most situations because it promotes maximum epoxy penetration into the bonding surface and prevents resin starved joints Single step bonding is occasionally used when joints have minimal loads and excess absorption into porous surfaces is not a problem In both cases to achieve the ultimate bond strength work the epoxy into the surface with a roller or brush Before mixing epoxy ensure all parts to be bonded fit properly and that surface preparation has been completed See surface preparation section 3 1
75. try on specific projects Standard BS EN ISO Test Procedures are normally used to evaluate the physical properties of adhesives and composite laminates but occasionally the laboratory is called upon to evaluate to a particular DIN or ASTM Standard The information provided by a comprehensive test programme and feedback from customers contributes to a data base on epoxies and epoxy composites that User Manual 2 Back to Contents is continuously growing This knowledge is invaluable for achieving the proper balance of properties required for a versatile high quality marine epoxy and ensures the information is up to date and reliable The WEST SYSTEM epoxies have been approved by the Howls is Lloyds Register of Shipping following an extensive test Re Ne programme which involved bonding wood glass reinforced plastic GRP mild steel aluminium and combinations thereof Specific details of this accreditation are available on request Technical support To ensure that the ultimate characteristics and versatility of the WEST SYSTEM epoxy are achieved Wessex Resins provides one other important ingredient technical service Whether the project in hand is large or small WEST SYSTEM technical publications and videos offered in this guide provide detailed procedures and instructions for specific repair and construction applications Further assistance can be obtained by writing or contacting our technical staff either via our Technical Sup
76. ubber bands cut from inner tubes packaging tape applying weights and vacuum bagging When placing clamps near epoxy covered areas use polyethylene sheeting or peel ply under the clamps so they do not inadvertently bond to the surface Staples nails or drywall screws are often used where conventional clamps are unsuitable Any fasteners that need to remain should be of a non corroding alloy such as bronze In some cases the thickened epoxy or gravity will hold parts in position without clamps Fairing refers to the filling and shaping of low or uneven areas so they blend with the surrounding surfaces and appear fair to the eye and touch After major structural assembly has been completed final fairing can be accomplished easily with WEST SYSTEM epoxy and low density fillers 1 Prepare the surface as detailed for bonding page 11 Sand smooth any bumps or ridges on the surface and remove all dust from the area to be faired 2 Wet out porous surfaces with resin hardener mix Figure 21 3 Mix resin hardener and 407 Low Density or 410 Microlight filler to a peanut butter consistency The thicker the mix the easier it will be to sand when cured 49 4 L ab v T N gt N H U uI Figure 21 Wet out porous surfaces before applying fairing compound Back to Contents User Manual 21 4 Trowel the thickened epoxy mix onto the wetted surface with a plastic spreader workin
77. ulti purpose barrier cream which has special bactericidal ingredients to minimise the risk of skin infection Protects against resins oils grease and petroleum spirits Back to Contents Product Guide 49 832 Disposable Gloves Lightweight seamless disposable gloves help prevent exposure to chemicals Excellent protection with good finger sensitivity and dexterity CE marked 834 Reusable Gloves Heavy duty rubber gloves offer superior tear and abrasion resistance and are liquid proof Can be reused CE marked 850 Solvent A specially blended cleaning solvent for removing uncured epoxy from tools boat and workshop surfaces Also excellent for cleaning contaminants from cured epoxy surfaces 855 Cleaning Solution A safe easy to use cleaning solution developed to remove uncured epoxy from tools workbenches minipumps etc Can also be used to wash off amine blush 875 Scarffer A unique tool designed by Gougeon Brothers for cutting accurate scarf joints in plywood up to 9mm thick Attaches easily to most circular saws and is simple to remove 885 Vacuum Bagging Kit A complete starter kit for room temperature repairs and small laminating projects up to 1 2m in size The kit includes Venturi vacuum generator with bronze muffler Vacuum Cups 3 6mm i d Vacuum Tubing 3m Vacuum Gauge Junction T Barbs 2 Release Fabric 1 4m Breather Fabric 1 4m Vacuum Bag Film 1 4m Vacuum Bag Sealant 7 5
78. ural wood finish may be achieved by coating with a two part varnish The 105 Resin has a relatively high flash point which makes if safer to work with than polyesters and is free from solvent odours and vapours For each container size of resin there is a corresponding sized container of hardener and mini pump size When purchasing resin hardener and mini pumps ensure that all items are labelled with the same pack size letter i e A B C or E 205 Hardener is used in a majority of situations to produce a rapid cure and results in an epoxy which develops its physical properties quickly When mixed in the ratio of five parts by weight of 105 Resin to one part by weight of 205 Hardener the cured resin hardener mixture yields a high strength rigid solid which has excellent cohesive properties and provides an outstanding moisture vapour barrier with excellent bonding and coating properties Pot Life at 25 C 10 to 15 minutes Cure to Solid State at 21 C 5 to 7 hours Cure to Maximum Strength at 21 C 5 to 7 days Minimum Recommended Working Temperature Pumps Required 5 1 ratio 301 306 309 Product Guide 40 When this low viscosity curing agent is combined with 105 Resin in the ratio of five parts by weight of resin to one part by weight of 206 Hardener the cured resin hardener mixture yields a high strength rigid moisture resistant solid excellent for use as a Coating and bonding adhesive Can be used for extended assembly times
79. when working in ideal conditions Pot Life at 25 C 20 to 30 minutes Cure to Solid State at 21 C 9 to 12 hours C Cure to Maximum Strength at 21 5 to 7 days Minimum Recommended Working Temperature Pumps Required 5 1 ratio 301 306 309 207 Special Coating Hardener is formulated for use with WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin for coating applications where an extremely clear finish is desired This hardener also provides excellent adhesion for bonding applications 207 contains an ultraviolet inhibitor to protect the 105 207 mix against sunlight However the cured epoxy surface still requires long term UV protection with a quality marine paint or a UV filtered two part varnish Note Ratio 3 1 Resin Hardener 209 Extra Slow Hardener is formulated for use with 105 Resin in extremely warm and or humid conditions for general bonding and coating applications or when extended working time is desired at room temperature A 105 209 mix provides approximately twice the pot life and working time of 206 Slow Hardener and adequate pot life up to 43 C Forms a clear amber coloured solid with good physical properties and moisture resistance for bonding and coating applications Note Ratio 3 1 Resin Hardener Pumps Required 3 1 ratio 303 306 3 309 3 Product Guide 41 WEST SYSTEM Product Guide BRAND 8 2 EPOXY DISPENSERS 301 Mini Pumps Designed for convenient and accurate dispensing of WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin and 205 or 206 Hardeners Mini
80. xy and sanding dust Wear protective gloves and clothing when handling WEST SYSTEM materials WEST SYSTEM 831 Barrier Cream provides additional protection for sensitive skin and allergies DO NOT use solvents to remove epoxy from the skin Immediately after skin contact with resin hardeners sanding dust from epoxy and or solvents use WEST SYSTEM 820 Resin Removing Cream for the initial clean up followed by a wash with soap and warm water If a skin rash develops while working with epoxy stop using the product until the rash completely disappears If problems persist when work is resumed discontinue use and consult a doctor 2 Protect your eyes from contact with resin hardeners mixed epoxy and sanding dust by wearing appropriate eye protection If contact occurs immediately flush the eyes with water for 15 minutes If discomfort persists seek medical attention 3 Avoid breathing concentrated vapours and sanding dust WEST SYSTEM epoxy vapours can build up in unvented spaces and ample ventilation must be provided when working with epoxy in confined areas such as boat interiors When adequate ventilation is not possible wear an approved respirator 4 Avoid ingestion Wash thoroughly after handling epoxy especially before eating If epoxy is swallowed drink large quantities of water DO NOT induce vomiting Call a doctor immediately Refer to First Aid procedures on the Material Safety Data Sheet 5 KEEP RESINS HARDENERS FILLER
81. y be removed It is not unreasonable to assume it has formed on any cured epoxy surface To remove the blush thoroughly wash the surface with clean water and an abrasive pad Dry the surface with fresh paper towels to remove the dissolved blush before it dries on the surface Sand any remaining glossy areas with 80 grit sandpaper and clean Wet sanding will also remove the amine blush Ifa release fabric peel ply is applied over the surface of fresh epoxy amine blush will be removed when the release fabric is peeled from the cured epoxy and no additional sanding is required Epoxy surfaces that are still tacky Le not fully cured may be bonded to or coated with epoxy without washing or sanding Before applying coatings other than epoxy paints bottom paints varnishes gelcoats etc allow epoxy surfaces to cure fully then wash sand clean and follow coating manufacturer s instructions User Manual 12 Removing epoxy Removing uncured or non curing epoxy Scrape as much material as possible from the surface using a stiff metal or plastic scraper warm the epoxy to lower its viscosity Clean the residue with WEST SYSTEM 850 Cleaning Solvent Follow safety warnings on solvents and provide adequate ventilation Allow solvents to dry before recoating After recoating wood surfaces with epoxy brush the wet epoxy in the direction of the grain with a wire brush to improve adhesion Removing fibreglass cloth
82. ywood veneers fabrics or core material to create a composite A composite may be any number of layers of the same material or combinations of different materials Methods of epoxy application and clamping will differ depending on the materials being laminated User Manual 20 Back to Contents A quick method to apply epoxy for laminating is to use a foam roller An even faster method for large flat surfaces is to simply pour the resin hardener mix onto the middle of the panel veneer fabric and spread the epoxy evenly over the surface with a plastic spreader Apply thickened mixes with an 809 Notched Spreader Using staples or screws is the most common method of clamping when there is a solid material on which to fasten An even distribution of weights will suffice when laminating over a base that will not hold mechanical fixings such as a foam or honeycomb core material Vacuum bagging is a specialized clamping method for laminating a wide range of materials Using a vacuum pump and plastic sheeting the atmosphere is used to apply perfectly even clamping pressure over all areas of a panel regardless of the size shape or number of layers For detailed information on vacuum bagging refer to 002 150 Vacuum Bagging Techniques 3 6 Fairing Clamping Any method of clamping is suitable to prevent movement between the parts being joined Methods of clamping include spring clamps C clamps and adjustable bar clamps r

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