Is it possible to unclump resin? I know with Epoxy if its too cold it will clump, and then heat will disolve it. But what about polyester and vinyl ester resins? Why does it clump to begin with? Its warm here where I am so it can’t be because of the cold.
Thanks!
John
VE and PE resins will become clumpy when they are old and will self polymerize (is that the correct teminology?)
If by clumping you mean harden…yes, some epoxies will thin when warmed, and I know VER will harden on it’s own, unmixed. (as shown by the pliable, but not sticky resin waste on the top of our drums…stick your finger into it, the depression will stay for a day) I do not know, or think heat will help PER/VER. Maybe styrene. Don’t leave your resin open!!!
If resins like vinylester or polyester are already polymermized heat might help break the bonds, or at least loosen them, but adding excessive heat will cause the other monomers to polymermize, and cure.
I’ve found the catalised poly will declump. Probably down to heat generated during exotherm
Just out of curiosity, how old is your resin?
The resin is about three months old. I’ll try taking a clump and putting it in the microwave for 5 - 10 seconds. If that works, I’ll keep putting a heat lamp over all the clumped resin and make sure that the heat doesn’t go over 110F. When I worked out of my garage and had epoxy stored there overnight in the winter. I’d just wait till I had the pot belly stove fired up and then put the 5 gal pail a few ft from the stove. After an hour or so all the epoxy resin would be nice and thin. Perfect for infusion.
Can’t do that with PE or VE though :(.
Polyester has a different reaction mechanism which relies on radicals to be formed.
Also, the accelerator, which actually is the catalysing agent, usually is already in there.
Top that with the tendency for polyester to self-initiate in contact with (galvanised) steel, and you have a perfect source for clumping.
Best is to strain the polyester through a womans stocking. (no joke). The strained polyester should be used fairly quick, but at least you get rid of the lumps, which will impair your product. (bad curing)