Any thoughts about these epoxies?

General Composites Discussions Products Talk
#21

I guess my perception is that the amines in epoxy are not volatile (don’t evaporate easily). If that’s the case, then the only way it will enter your system is if you eat it (YUCK!) or get it on your skin. Whereas all PER and VER contains styrene which is so volatile that you can’t help but breathe it. I guess I figure that it’s much easier to control what gets on your skin than what goes in your lungs. Even if you have a good respirator, those canisters eventually lose their effectiveness and the styrene fumes sneak up on you.

Another drawback of PER and VER systems is their flammability which doesn’t seem to be a factor with epoxy systems.

That brings me back to a question I posted earlier about Styrid and the other PER odor suppressors. Do they actually decrease styrene emmissions or do they just cover up the smell? Seems like I saw somewhere that they actually reduce emissions, but just wanted to confirm.

I see your point Classicbike. But did you figure in the cost of a liver transplant in your profit margins? I know it seems like a pretty slim chance that you’ll need one, but why risk it? I’m willing to take a cut in my margins to live a few more years. What good is all the extra money gonna do you when you’re 6-feet under? Just my $0.02 or £0.02 as the case may be.

BTW Werks, got the package and there’s somethin’ comin’ back yer way.

#22

material cost is minimal compared to labor cost in a part. granted, epoxy is more expensive, but if you do the math for the cost of material for a polyester part vs. a epoxy part the cost is minimal, labor cost is what creates high priced parts

#23

for it to reduce the volatility of the styrenes it would have to make it so the styrene will preferably stay in the liquid phase as oposed to volatilizing out of solution, from my chemistry background I’m not sure how this would be done simply by adding a small amount of another liquid… but i am curious

#24

Yeah, I’m no chemist, but here is what they say about Styrid:

“This ready to use styrene suppressant is economical and easy to use, reducing styrene emissions from most polyester resins 50% or more.”

http://www.specialtyproductsco.com/Styrid.htm

#25

Here in the UK we have available styrene suppressed polyester resin systems, that cost around the same as the std stuff.

In terms of cost, epoxy here in the UK is around £58 for 5kg, while poly is appox the same amount for 25kg.

Obviously if you are making load bearing parts using high performance materials such as carbon or kevlar, then epoxy must be used, but using it for cosmetic items, is very much like making something like an exhaust system for a lawnmower say, using titanium tube rather than mild steel.

Finally any serious adverse health affects, in regard to occasional hobby use of either polyester or epoxy resin systems, is extremely unlikely, but it is worth bearing in mind that both are intended for industrial processes, and as such can nver be 100% safe for home/hobby usage.

#26

That’s interesting… Here in the US, the cost ratio is about 3:1. Gallon of Poly for about $35, and Gallon of Epoxy for about $100. I think poly and epoxy are about the same density: about 9lb per gallon or 4kg/gal. With the poor dollar, that makes your price seem through the roof, esp for epoxy. Now, if you could get 4 kilos of epoxy for £50, wouldn’t you go for it? It would definitely make your cosmetic parts more durable… If only shipping across the pond weren’t so expensive!!! :frowning:

#27

It’s actually less than that even with most epoxy. Most of the epoxies i see on the market are $80 a gallon. The one i’m using is $78 for 1 and 1/2 gallons.

I’ve still got a gallon of tooling PER i need to use up. Then no more PER resin or gel coat for me.

#28

dont forget, most of you guys are getting your resins from online sites, which gear all there products to hobbyist. you can buy epoxies, vinyls and polys for much cheaper elsewheres

#29

Online sites here in the UK are around 25% more costly than a trade supplier I use.

But from the questions often asked on here I can see that beginners very often need guidance on materials and equipment, and thats something that trade type places often are not able to help with.