Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Labeling Claims
- Materials Features
- Product Highlights
- Resistant to water and certain chemicals
- Provide durable, reduced maintenance products
HiGloss TRTM 99R gel coats meet the EPA National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Reinforced Plastic Composites Production. While offering low VOC’s, 99R gel coats have retained the important construction application qualities customers have come to expect from Polynt Composites USA gel coats, such as resistance to porosity, tearing, and color separation, sag resistance, consistent liquid properties, good patchability, and more. These all add up to higher quality appeal in FRP parts made from Polynt’s 99R Series gel coats. These gel coats require only the addition of the proper amount of the appropriate methyl ethyl ketone peroxide to cure.
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Recommended Applications
HiGloss TRTM 99R gel coats must be mixed prior to use. This includes prior to production spray application and when obtaining material for patching or any material that has been set aside for patching. Several suitable types of mixing equipment and styles of agitators are available for both pails and drums. Regardless of the specific type used, the equipment must have sufficient horsepower (relative to container size) to achieve thorough circulation from top to bottom and out to the sides of the container. The agitator must be properly sized for the container and must allow for uniform mixing regardless of the liquid level in the container.
Mixing once a day for 10 minutes is typically sufficient. Do not overmix HiGloss TRTM 99R gel coats. Overmixing can break down the polymer coating viscosity increasing the tendency to sag. Overmixing can also result in styrene loss which could contribute to porosity. Air bubbling should not be used for mixing. It is not effective and only serves as a potential source of water or oil contamination.
Most HiGloss TRTM 99R gel coats are formulated for spray application. Brushable versions have Brushable included in the product description and the product code has a B at the end. For spray versions, brushing or rolling is not recommended. To maximize the performance of these coatings, the spray equipment must be well maintained and regularly calibrated. Application procedure recommendations should be followed carefully. Poorly maintained equipment or poor application will quickly negate the beneficial properties of these gel coats. Refer to Polynt’s Composites Applications Guide, for equipment and application recommendations.
Polynt does not recommend fluid lines longer than 50 feet, or pumps smaller than 20:1 ratio. Polynt Composites USA recommends a gel coat delivery rate of no more than 2.5 pounds per minute with conventional air atomized equipment, and no more than 4 pounds per minute with airless equipment.
For optimum results, uniform catalyst mix must be achieved. Even with the equipment properly calibrated, potential problems can occur due to poorly atomized catalyst, surging problems (ARMORFLEX® 99F or catalyst), poor tip alignment (catalyst to ARMORFLEX® 99F mix), contamination, and poor application procedures, which will quickly negate all benefits of calibration. The equipment (and application procedures) must be monitored on a routine basis to ensure proper application and cure of the gel coat. Inquire about and adhere to all equipment manufacturers’ recommendations.
When establishing the fan pattern for the spray equipment, use the lowest pump pressure needed to achieve a good fan pattern (no fingers or tails, uniform particle size of about 1/16²). Use of higher pressures can lead to a porosity or excessive overspray. Overspray can result in a leathery or chicken skin texture if it falls on the part surface. To minimize overspray that falls onto the mold, plan the spray pattern so that the beginning is closest to the vapor/air exhaust and progresses to the opposite mold end. The spray pattern should also allow for a wet line to be maintained.
A spray distance of 18 to 36 inches is recommended closer spray distances can result in blowing of the film or air entrapment. Spraying at distances greater than 4 feet will increase orange peel and porosity. For deep channels, recessed, and hard-to-spray areas, an extension nozzle is highly recommended.
For best overall end performance properties, a wet film thickness of 16 to 20 mils is recommended. The film should be applied in multiple passes with each pass having a thickness of 6 mils. More rapid film build could result in some sag and porosity. Films less than 12 mils may not cure properly, may be hard to patch, have more print-through, and be more susceptible to water blisters. Films above 24 mils may prerelease, trap porosity, crack and are more subject to weathering discoloration.A fiberglass part is the mirror image of the mold. A preventive maintenance program for molds is essential. This will minimize the repair work (sanding and buffing) needed on the fiberglass parts. Sanding and buffing can substantially reduce the durability of the gel coat.
Properties
- Color
- Typical Properties
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Flash Point at 77°F | 88 | °F | — |
| Viscosity Brookfield RVF #4 Spindle at 20 rpm at 77°F | 4800 | cps | — |
| Thixotropic Index (2/20) at 77°F | 6 | — | — |
| Weight per Gallon at 77°F | 11.0-12.0 | lbs | — |
| Gel Time at 77°F with 1.8% MEK-Peroxide | 15 | minutes | — |
| Lay-up Time at 77°F | 15-45 | minutes | — |
| Sag Resistance at 77°F (Good) | 20 | mils | — |
| Hide (most formulations) (Complete) | 16 | mils | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- Cure
It is recommended that gel time be checked in the customer's plant because age, temperature, humidity and catalyst will produce varied gel times. All data referencing gel or cure refers specifically to Arkema Luperox® DDM-9 catalyst. United Initiators NOROX® MEKP-9 and NOROX® MEKP-9H, Akzo Nobel CADOX L-50a and CADOX D-50 are expected to yield similar performance. ARKEMA Luperox® DHD-9, NOROX® MEKP-925 and NOROX® MEKP-925H, and Pergan HP-90 may yield slightly shorter gel and cure times.
The catalyst level should not exceed 3% or fall below 1.2% for proper cure. Recommended range is 1.2% to 3.0% with 1.8% at 77°F being ideal. Normally, the gel coat film is ready for lamination in 30 to 45 minutes. This time element is dependent on material temperature, room temperature, humidity, air movement, and catalyst concentration. Special fast cure versions are available upon request. Fast-cure products have shorter stability and should not be inventoried over 45 days.
These products should not be used when temperature conditions are below 60°F, as curing may be adversely affected.
Storage & Handling
- Handling and Storage
Uncatalyzed, standard cure HiGloss TRTM 99R’s have a shelf life of 120 days from date of manufacture from Polynt and when stored at 73°F or below, in a closed, factory-sealed, opaque container, and out of direct sunlight. Fast cure products (gel time less than 9.0 minutes) have a shelf life of 60 days. For both standard and fast cure products, the shelf life is cut in half for every 20° over 73°F. Totes of product can have even shorter shelf lives (66% of that for drums).