Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
- Product Highlights
- Deep, dark, rich, high gloss colors
- Excellent color and gloss recovery after sanding and buffing
- Exceptional water resistance
- Excellent blush resistant
- IMEDGE® PCT100 has excellent weathering resistance
- IMEDGE® PCT110 has exceptional weathering resistance
- Enhanced impact resistance and toughness for reduced cracking
- Excellent scratch and wear resistance
- Resistant to porosity
- Low weight per gallon
IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 coatings are formulated to meet EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for both Boat Manufacturing and Reinforced Plastic Composites products. When IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 are backed by IMEDGE® High Performance Barrier Coat (HPB), ArmorGuard® vinyl ester barrier coat products, or ArmorStar® vinyl ester skin resins, a durable osmotic blister resistant composite can be made that is suitable for applications with extended water exposure. IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 coatings are durable and crack resistant. When used in combination with IMEDGE® HPB the resulting composite has exceptional crack resistance. While offering these benefits, IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 coatings have retained the important construction and application qualities expected from Polynt Composites coatings, such as resistance to tearing and color separation, sag resistance, consistent liquid properties, and more. These add up to higher quality appeal in FRP parts made with IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 Series products.
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Recommended Applications
IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 must be mixed prior to use. This includes mixing before production spray applications and when obtaining material for patching or any material that has been set aside for patching. When not agitated, IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 develop a viscous layer at the top of the container. The material at the bottom of the container is much lower in viscosity. Material applied in this condition is likely to sag and have porosity. Mixing of IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 coatings is critical to success with the products.
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 to allow for uniform mixing regardless of the liquid level in the container.
Initially, during mixing, the agitator speed and height need to be high enough to break down the top viscous layer. The agitator height will then need to be lowered to achieve thorough circulation from top to bottom in the container. The agitator speed may need to be reduced as the product is mixed. Always visually check the material during and after mixing to ensure that the top viscous layer has been fully reincorporated.
Do not overmix IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110. 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.IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 products are formulated for spray application. Brushing or rolling is not recommended.
IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 products can be applied with typical gel coat spray application equipment. Use of external catalyst mix equipment is recommended. Use of internal mix spray equipment increases the potential for porosity.
Actual spray application is similar to conventional gel coats. Refer to Polynt Composites’ Composites Application Guide for additional application information. Polynt Composites recommends a 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 low pressure, air assist equipment.
For optimum results, uniform catalyst mix must be achieved. Even with the equipment, properly calibrated, potential problems can occur due to the following: poorly atomized catalyst, surging problems (coating or catalyst), poor tip alignment (catalyst to coating mix), contamination, and poor application procedures. All of which will quickly negate the benefits of calibration. The equipment and application procedures must be monitored on a routine basis to ensure proper application and cure of the coating. Ask about and adhere to all equipment manufacturers' recommendations.
For best overall end performance properties, a wet film thickness of 18±2 mils is recommended. Films less than 12 mils may not cure properly, may be hard to patch, have more print-through, and are more susceptible to water blisters. Films above 24 mils may pre-release, trap porosity, or crack, and are more subject to weathering discoloration. If water blisters are of a great concern, 20 to 24 mils would perform better than a thinner film; but sag, porosity and cracking resistance could suffer. If weathering is of great concern, thinner films (12 to 16 mils) would perform better but patch ability, resistance to print-through, and blistering could suffer.
Avoid overspray settling on mold surfaces by beginning the spray pattern closest to the vapor/air exhaust and progressing to the opposite mold end. Maintain recommended spray distances from the mold surface. Closer spray distances or larger tips may be required in hot weather to avoid dry spray buildup.
- Spray Patch Application
When ready to spray the patch area, catalyze the patching material with 2.0-3.0% MEK peroxide. Using a Binks 115 type spray gun, spray the catalyzed mix over the entire sanded area. Thickness should be approximately 8 to 12 mils for good cure. If spraying an area where the gel coat has been completely removed, the thickness of the spray patch must be at least equal to the thickness needed for hide. Use a film coat of FC PATCHAID® 970C961 Spraycure™ to seal the open side of the patch and enhance cure. Apply the Spraycure™ while the patch is still wet (within 5-10 minutes of the patch being sprayed). Keep the area surrounding the patch masked-off when applying Spraycure™. Spraycure™ can reduce the gloss or cause streaking in the surrounding gel coat. Note: When used as an overspray, Spraycure™ does not require initiator. For Spraycure™ to provide an efficient seal, it must be sprayed as a film rather than a dust coat. Do not flood it on or spray it too thick. After Spraycure™ has been applied remove all tape and masking materials. Allow the patch to cure for a minimum of 8 hours at room temperature before finishing. Working in temperatures cooler than 77ºF may require longer cure times. Before sanding, pre-buff the patch to help drive the cure and then allow the area to cool before finishing. If circumstances require the patch to cure quicker, the following procedure can be used. Add 5cc’s of FC PATCHAID® 970C961 Spraycure™ to 100 grams of IMEDGE® and catalyze with 2.5cc’s of catalyst. Overspray patch wet on wet with Spraycure™, heat the patch for 10-minutes and allow to cure for 2 hours. When the patch is ready do not wipe patch with acetone, instead, wet sand first with 400-grit sand paper and then follow up with the typical dry sanding (600, 800, 1000, 1200 DA) and finishing sequencing detailed below.
Properties
- Typical Properties
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Viscosity (77°F) | 9,000-13,000 | cps | — |
| Thixotropic Index (77°F) | 4.0-6.0 | — | — |
| Flash Point (77°F) | 79-82 | °F | — |
| Weight per Gallon (77°F) | 8.70-9.70 | lbs | — |
| Gel Time (77°F) | 12-20 | minutes | — |
| Lay-up Time (77°F) | 90-160 | minutes | — |
| Sag Resistance (77°F) | Good at 20 mils | — | — |
| Hide (77°F) | Complete at 10 mils | — | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- Cure
Polynt Composites recommends checking gel time 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 recommended range is 1.8 % to 3.0% with 1.8% at 77°F being ideal. Normally, the coating film is ready for lamination in 60 to 80 minutes. This time element is dependent on material temperature, room temperature, humidity, air movement, and catalyst concentration. If lay-up time is checked by the finger method, slight pressure and dragging should be used.
These products should not be used when temperature conditions are below 70°F, as curing may be adversely affected. Please note that the mold temperature should not be below 70°F for adequate cure.
Storage & Handling
- Handling and Storage
Uncatalyzed, IMEDGE® PCT100 and PCT110 products have a shelf life of 120 days from date of manufacture when stored at 73°F or below, in a closed, factory sealed, opaque container, and out of direct sunlight. Fast cure gel coats (gel time less than 9.0 minutes) have a shelf life of 60 days. The shelf life is cut in half for every 20°F over 73°F. Totes of product can have even shorter shelf life – 66% of that for drums.