Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
- Features and Benefits
- Vinyl ester base resin
- Matched tooling system
- Excellent chemical and heat resistance
- Good impact resistance
- Excellent surface finish – Can be polished to high gloss
- Reduces reinforcement print-through
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Application Method
- Brush Application
Do Don’t Ensure the gelcoat has attained workshop temperature of 15°C - 25°C before use. Stir the gelcoat with high shear mixers as this will temporarily break down the
thixotropy leading to drainage.Add 2% Butanox® M-50 or equivalent catalyst. Exceed a wet film thickness of 800 microns as thick films encourage air retention. Gently stir the gelcoat by hand or low shear stirrer. Apply excessive thickness in corner areas as this can cause pre-release. Use long brush strokes and even pressure
to apply the gelcoat in an even film across
the mold surface.Apply backing laminate before the gelcoat has reached an appropriate degree of cure. Brush through the gelcoat in multiple passes until the recommended wet film thickness of
600-800 microns is reached.Catalyze more gelcoat than can be
applied before it starts to gel.Apply the first layer of laminate
within 24 hours of the gelcoat.Allow vapor to be retained in deep mold
sections as this can cause slow curing.- Gel Time and Backup Time
Catalyst level and temperature will influence the gel time. The product only requires the addition of catalyst to start curing. We recommend the use of a 50% MEKP (type Butanox® M-50) which should be added at 2% in the gelcoat.
Temperature Gel time (2% Butanox® M-50)** Backup time (2% Butanox® M-50)** 15°C 40 minutes 75 minutes 20°C 30 minutes 50 minutes 25°C 10 minutes 40 minutes 30°C 8 minutes 18 minutes
Properties
- Cured Properties
- Uncured Properties
- Note
* Curing Schedule - 24hrs at 20°C, 3hrs at 80°C.
† Curing Schedule - 24hrs at 20°C, 5hrs at 80°C, 3hrs at 120°C.
** Measured under laboratory conditions. Information should be used as a guide only.
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Barcol Hardness (Model GYZJ 934-1)* | 45 | — | EN59 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (1.8 MPa)† | 106 | °C | BS EN ISO 75-2 (1996) |
| Elongation (at break)* | 2.7 | % | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Strength* | 78 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Modulus* | 3900 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 0.6 s⁻¹) | 425 | Poise | — |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 4500 s⁻¹) | 14 | Poise | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- Crestamould® Matched Tooling Systems
For optimum life, a mold constructed using Crestamold® Gelcoat 15PA (B) should be fully cured before being put into use. This can be achieved by placing the mold in an oven at 40°C for 30 hours. If this is not practical, the mold should be left in warm conditions (>20°C) for 2-3 weeks prior to use. Where a mold is likely to experience severe conditions (e.g. due to high exotherm temperatures within backing laminates), it should be post cured at an elevated temperature. Contact our Technical Service department for further advice.
- Additives and Variants
- The information contained in this technical data sheet applies to all pigmented versions. Crestamould® Gelcoat 15PA (B) is available in a limited range of colors.
- Incorporation of additional material may affect the working, weathering or cured properties of the gelcoat as well as the durability of the mold. Please check with Scott Bader’s Technical Service department before using the gelcoat outside of specified parameters.
- Post Curing
For optimum life, a mould constructed using Crestamould® Gelcoat 15PA (B) should be fully cured before being put into use. This can be achieved by placing the mould in an oven at 40°C for 30 hours. If this is not practical, the mould should be left in warm conditions (>20°C) for 2-3 weeks prior to use. Where a mould is likely to experience severe conditions (e.g. due to high exotherm temperatures within backing laminates), it should be post cured at an elevated temperature. Contact our Technical Service department for further advice.
- Mould Release System
When a new mold is manufactured, traces of residual monomer remain within the tooling gelcoat. Although post curing at 80°C will reduce this to an insignificant level, exposing a new mold to this temperature is not always practical or desirable. The first release from a new mold is, therefore, likely to be the most difficult, particularly if a mold which is not post cured is subjected to elevated temperatures during its initial use. These temperatures could arise from the exotherm of the laminate contained within the mold, or from the mold itself being passed through a heated area during use. The following procedure was developed to combat release problems on new molds manufactured and cured at workshop temperature. It demonstrates an excellent release performance on new molds and is equally effective on molds of any age:
- Before first use, allow the mold to mature for a minimum of 7 days at 18°C or above.
- Clean the mold thoroughly with a polyester mold cleaner.
- Apply a polyester mold sealer according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Apply a semi-permanent release agent according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Optional – apply one coat of a hard wax such as Mirrorglaze. This will reduce any tendency to de-wet or pre-release when the mold is used.
- After the first release, use a masking tape test to check that the release agent remains on the mold surface.
- If so, apply one coat of semi-permanent or hard wax. If not, repeat steps 2 to 4.
- Continue as step 6 until the release performance becomes predictable and easy then re-apply one coat of release agent as and when required.
- Recommended Testing
It is recommended that customers test all gelcoats before use under their own conditions of application to ensure that the product meets requirements.
Safety & Health
- Health and Safety Information
Unsaturated polyester products release heat when they cure in bulk.
Packaging & Availability
- Country Availability
- Packaging Type
- Regional Availability
- Packaging Information
Crestamould® Gelcoat 15PA (B) is available in 25kg and 225kg containers. (15kg and 200kg depending on production site).
Storage & Handling
- Storage Conditions
Crestamould® Gelcoat 15PA (B) should be stored in its original container, under cover, and out of direct sunlight. These must be kept closed and airtight. It is recommended that the storage temperature should be less than 25°C and the product should not be frozen. Storing the product outside of these conditions may affect the properties of the product and reduce its shelf life. Ideally, containers should be opened only immediately prior to use. Material should be used within 5 months from date of production.