Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
- Features and Benefits
- Isophthalic base resin
- Filled gelcoat
- Easy to apply
- Low styrene content
- Good water and weather resistance
- Low porosity
- Excellent surface finish
- Less exposure to the environment and operators
Applications & Uses
- Applications
- Application Method
- Composites Processing Methods
- 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 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.
- 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 M50) which should be added at 2% in the gelcoat.
Temperature Gel time (2% Butanox M50)** Backup time (2% Butanox M50)** 15°C 16 minutes 60 minutes 20°C 15 minutes 55 minutes 25°C 8 minutes 31 minutes 30°C 7 minutes 25 minutes **Measured under laboratory conditions. Information should be used as a guide only.
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.- 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 Wet film thickness 600 - 800 microns
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Barcol Hardness (Model GYZJ 934-1)* | 45 | — | EN59 |
| Water Absorption (24h, at 23°C)* | 16 | 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)* | 2.1 | % | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Strength* | 59 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Tensile Modulus* | 5000 | MPa | BS EN ISO 527-2 |
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 0.6 s⁻¹) | 270 | Poise | — |
| Styrene Content | 28 - 30 | % | — |
| Viscosity (at 25°C, 4500 s⁻¹) | 2.6 | Poise | — |
| Specific Gravity (at 25°C) | 1.2 | — | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- 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.
- 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 96PAX. 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.
- Post Curing
Satisfactory laminates for many applications can be made with Crystic® Gelcoat LS 96PA 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.
Packaging & Availability
- Packaging Type
- Packaging Information
Crystic® Gelcoat LS 96PA is available in 25kg and 225kg containers.
Storage & Handling
- Shelf Life
- 5 Months
- Storage
Crystic® Gelcoat LS 96PA 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.