Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
- Product Highlights
- Excellent resistance to water blistering
- Resistant fading caused by swimming pool chemicals
- Durable, reduced maintenance products
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Recommended Applications
POLYCOR® 960SW Series gel coats should be mixed prior to use. Use mixing equipment with 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. Air bubbling should not be used for mixing. It is not effective and only serves as a potential source of water or oil contamination. Do not overmix POLYCOR® 960SW Series gel coats. Overmixing can break down the viscosity, increasing the tendency to sag.
POLYCOR® swimming pool gel coats are formulated for spray application. 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.
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 overspray. Overspray can result in a leathery or chicken skin texture if it falls on the part surface. Polynt does not recommend fluid lines longer than 50 feet or pumps smaller than 20:1 ratio. Polynt 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 (gel coat or catalyst); poor tip alignment (catalyst to gel coat 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.
For best overall end performance properties, a wet film thickness of 20-24 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 pre-release, trap porosity, crack, and are more subject to weathering discoloration. 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.
Delamination can occur if the gel coat is left in the mold overnight without being laminated. It is essential that the gel coat at least be skinned within 8 hours of being sprayed.
The cure rate depends on a number of factors including the product’s age, temperature, catalyst type, catalyst level and ambient humidity. 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, United Initiators NOROX® MEKP-925 and NOROX® MEKP-925H, and Pergan HP®-90 may yield slightly shorter gel and cure times.
The recommended catalyst range is 1.2-3.0%, with 1.8% at 77°F being ideal. Normally, the gel coat film is ready for lamination in 45-90 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 rubbing should be used.
These products should not be used when temperature conditions are below 60°F, as curing may be adversely affected.
Properties
- Typical Properties
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Sag Resistance (77°F) | Good at 20 mils | — | — |
| Flash Point (77°F) | 88 | °F | — |
| Volatile Organic Compound (77°F) | 33.1 | % | — |
| Viscosity (77°F) | 12000 | cps | — |
| Thixotropic Index (2/20) (77°F) | 6 | — | — |
| Gel Time (77°F) | 13.5 | minutes | — |
| Lay-up Time (77°F) | 45-60 | minutes | — |
| Hide (Complete at) (77°F) | 7-11 mils | — | — |
| Color Match (CMC max ΔE) (77°F) | 0.3 | — | — |
| Weight per Gallon (77°F) | 10.3 | lbs | — |
Storage & Handling
- Handling and Storage
Uncatalyzed, POLYCOR® 960SW Series gel coats 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) are stable for 60 days. 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.