Cost of Epoxy Laminates vs. VinylEster Laminates
#11
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Actually most of the stitched mat fabrics have an epoxy soluble binder these days. The biggest reason for using a 1700 bi ax is no need for inter laminate bonding when using epoxy. The mat ends up being a resin sponge and a very weak layer in the stack. Epoxy does not like the disoriented strands in mat, it needs linear fibers to direct its properties. Also because it does not break down the binder as well as an ester it also looses some formability. I prefer VE to epoxy most times
http://www.lbifiberglass.com/TECH/techresin.html
I see that the mat helps the PE or VE bond to the wood, where epoxy doesn't need it as it will readily bond to the wood on its own.
I wish I could find data on flexural strength and flexural modulus for the same fabric with different resins. My assumption is that epoxy will result in a laminate with higher strength and a more favorable strength to weight ratio.
#12
Ve fills the bill for nearly everything i do, offers much higher physicals then PE for not a great deal more money (eight hundred vs twelve hundred a drum) I also like the ability to use gelcoats and poly or VE based fillers and things for finishing. Epoxy has its place but in the real world unless your entirely re engineering a structure its wasted money for the most part. 90% of these things are made from poly anyway and lasted years. The downfall of a boat is rarely what its made of but rather how it was made and how it was handled in rigging and in everyday use. For my needs VE resin will get you most of the way to the same performance as a mid range epoxy, those are going to be properties that far exceed anything your likely to need. Like i said epoxy definitely has its place but i like working with VE, its essentially an epoxy suspended in a styrene matrix.
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Throttles- Cleveland Construction 377 Talon
08 OPA Class 1 National Champion
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10 OPA Class 1 National Champion ( happy now Ed! )
Throttles- Cleveland Construction 377 Talon
08 OPA Class 1 National Champion
08 Class 1 Geico Triple Crown Champion
08 OPA High Points Champion
10 OPA Class 1 National Champion ( happy now Ed! )
#16
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how long before you can sand the stuff it stays tacky for a while
and btw even though epoxy doesnt stick as bad i was under the impression that it actually is just as bad to breath the fumes you just cant smell em as much
and btw even though epoxy doesnt stick as bad i was under the impression that it actually is just as bad to breath the fumes you just cant smell em as much
Last edited by sparky24; 08-25-2014 at 11:35 AM.