Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Features and Benefits
- Isophthalic base resin
- Easy to apply
- Low styrene content
- Excellent water / blistering resistance
- Excellent surface finish
- Less exposure to the environment and operators
Applications & Uses
- Applications
- Application Method
- Composites Processing Methods
- Brush Application
Do
- Ensure the gelcoat has attained workshop temperature of 15°C - 25°C before use.
- Add 2% Butanox® M-50 or equivalent catalyst.
- Gently stir the gelcoat by hand or low shear stirrer.
- Use long brush strokes and even pressure to apply the gelcoat in an even film across the mold surface
- Brush through the gelcoat until the recommended wet film thickness of 600-800 microns is reached.
- Apply the first layer of laminate within 24 hours of the gelcoat.
Don’t
- Stir the gelcoat with high shear mixers as this will temporarily break down the thixotropy leading to drainage.
- Exceed a wet film thickness of 800 microns as thick films encourage air retention.
- Apply excessive thickness in corner areas as this can cause pre-release.
- Apply backing laminate before the gelcoat has reached an appropriate degree of cure.
- Catalyze more gelcoat than can be applied before it starts to gel as this will lead to wastage and possible exothermic reaction.
- Allow vapor to be retained in deep mold sections as this can cause slow curing.
- Applications
Marine - hulls, decks and components or other building/transport or industrial applications requiring excellent color stability and gloss retention when exposed to sunlight
- Gel time & 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 15 minutes 90 minutes 20°C 13 minutes 55 minutes 25°C 10 minutes 42 minutes 30°C 9 minutes 35 minutes **Measured under laboratory conditions. Information should be used as a guide only.
Properties
- Cured Properties
- Uncured Properties
- Note
* Curing Schedule - 24hrs at 20ºC, 3hrs at 80ºC.
† Curing Schedule - 24hrs at 20ºC, 5hrs at 80ºC, 3hrs at 120ºC.
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Barcol Hardness (Model GYZJ 934-1)* | 50 | — | EN59 |
| Water Absorption (24h, at 23°C)* | 17 | mg | BS EN ISO 62 part 6.2 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (1.8 MPa)† | 70 | °C | BS EN ISO 75-2 (1996) |
| Elongation (at break)* | 2.3 | % | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Strength* | 60 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Modulus* | 3850 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 0.6 s⁻¹) | 440 | Poise | — |
| Styrene Content | 25 | % | — |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 4500 s⁻¹) | 12 | Poise | — |
| Specific Gravity (at 25°C) | 1.11 | — | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- Post Curing
Satisfactory laminates for many applications can be made with Crystic ® Gelcoat LS 88PA by curing at workshop temperature (15â°C - 25â°C). However, for optimum properties, laminates must be post-cured before being put into service. The molding should be allowed to cure for 24 hours at workshop temperature, and then oven-cured for 16 hours at 40°C.
- Additives and Variants
The information contained in this technical data sheet applies to all pigmented versions. A topcoat version of this material is available called LS 88PAX. The topcoat can be formulated by addition of 2% Crystic® Solution MW into the gelcoat. Incorporation of additional material may affect the working, weathering or cured properties of the gelcoat. Please check with Scott Bader’s Technical Service department before using the gelcoat outside of specified parameters.
- Recommended Testing
It is recommended that customers test all pigmented gelcoats before use under their own conditions of application to ensure that the product meets requirements.
Safety & Health
- Health and Safety
Unsaturated polyester products release heat when they cure in bulk.
Packaging & Availability
- Packaging Type
- Packaging
- Crystic® Gelcoat LS 88PA is available in 25kg and 225kg containers.
Storage & Handling
- Shelf Life
- 5 Months
- Storage
- Crystic® Gelcoat LS 88PA 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 25ºC 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 the date of production.