Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
- Features and Benefits
- Easy to apply
- Easy to sand
- Excellent surface finish
- Excellent base for post painting
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Application Method
- Spray Set up
Application temperature 15 - 25°C Catalyst 2% Butanox® M-50 or equivalent catalyst Nozzle airless gun 423 - 535 Pressure 3 to 4.5 bars Distance to mold 50 cm minimum Thickness 600 - 800 microns - Spray 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
- Spray at the minimum practical pressure whilst maintaining an acceptable spray pattern and full fan width.
- Apply a mist coat and then build up thickness in long, even passes of 100 - 150 microns 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.
- Allow vapor to be retained in deep mold sections as this can cause slow curing.
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.- 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 18 minutes 65 minutes 20°C 15 minutes 50 minutes 25°C 12 minutes 40 minutes 30°C 10 minutes 30 minutes **Measured under laboratory conditions. Information should be used as a guide only.
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Barcol Hardness (Model GYZ 934-1) | 45 | — | EN59 |
| Water Absorption (24h, at 23°C) | 9 | mg | BS EN ISO 62 part 6.2 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (1.8 MPa)† | 75 | °C | BS EN ISO 75-2 (1996) |
| Elongation (at break)* | 1.3 | % | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Strength* | 44 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Modulus* | 5370 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Flexural Strength* | 81 | MPa | BS EN ISO 178 |
| Flexural Modulus* | 5600 | MPa | BS EN ISO 178 |
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 0.6 s⁻¹) | 190 | Poise | — |
| Styrene Content | 33 | % | — |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 4500 s⁻¹) | 2.2 | Poise | — |
| Specific Gravity (at 25°C) | 1.3 | — | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- Additives and Variants
The gelcoat is available in a limited range of colors and the information contained in this leaflet also applies to these pigmented versions. Incorporation of additional material may affect the working, weathering or cured properties of the gelcoat.
- Post Curing
Satisfactory laminates for many applications can be made with Crystic® Gelcoat 45PA by curing at workshop temperature (15°C - 25°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
- 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
Unsaturated polyester products release heat when they cure in bulk.
Packaging & Availability
- Packaging Type
- Packaging
- Crystic® Gelcoat 45PA is available in 25kg and 225kg containers.
Storage & Handling
- Storage
- Crystic® Gelcoat 45PA 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 the date of production.