Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
Applications & Uses
- Applications
- Application Method
- Composites Processing Methods
- Applications
For normal molding, the application of Crystic Gelcoat 44PA should be controlled to 0.4-0.5mm (0.015-0.020 inch) wet film thickness. As a guide, approximately 450-600 g/m2 of gelcoat mixture (depending on pigment) will give the required thickness when evenly applied.
- Formulation Guidelines
- Crystic Gelcoat 44PA should be allowed to attain workshop temperature (18-25°C) before use, Stir well by hand, or with a low shear mixer to avoid aeration, and then allow to stand to regain thixotropy. The product requires only the addition of catalyst to start the curing reaction. The recommended catalyst is Andonox® KP-9 or Norox® MEKP-925 H, which should be added at 2% into the gelcoat. (Please consult our Technical Service Department if other catalysts are to be used). The catalyst should be thoroughly incorporated into the gelcoat, with a low shear mechanical stirrer, where possible. Unsaturated polyester products release heat when they cure in bulk. If manually adding catalyst to the product prior to spraying, do not prepare more material than is required to complete the job and spray within 3 minutes. Ensure that all equipment is thoroughly cleaned after use.
- Spray Applications
Do's Don’t Gently stir the gelcoat before use by hand or low shear mixer. Stir the gelcoat with high shear mixers as this will temporarily break down the thixotropy leading to drainage.
Ensure the gelcoat has attained workshop temperature of 18°C-25°C before use. (Temperatures below 18°C will require higher pressure to achieve an acceptable spray pattern and this will encourage porosity). Exceed a wet film thickness of 0.625mm (0.025 inch) as thick films encourage air retention.
Spray at the minimum practical pressure whilst maintaining an acceptable spray pattern and full fan width. Apply excessive thickness in corner areas as this can cause pre-release.
Apply a mist coat and then build up thickness in long, even passes of 0.125mm (0.005 inch) until the recommended wet film thickness of 0.5-0.625mm (0.020-0.025 inch) is reached. This will minimize porosity and color defects.
Properties
- Cured Properties
- Uncured Properties
- Pot Life
Temperature Pot Life in Minutes 25ºC 6 Curing should not be carried out at temperatures below 15°C. The gelcoat, mold and workshop should all be at, or above, this temperature.
N.B. Peroxide catalysts are highly reactive and may decompose with explosive violence, or cause fires, if they come into contact with flammable materials, metals or accelerators. For this reason they must never be stored in metal containers or be mixed directly with accelerators.
- 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 | |
| Specific Gravity (at 25°C) | 1.1 | — | BS2782 |
| Stability (at 20°C) | 3 | Months | BS2782 |
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Gel Time (at 25°C, using 2% Andonox KP-9) | 6 | Minutes | BS2782 |
| Barcol Hardness (Model GYZ 934-1) | 38 | — | — |
| Tensile Modulus | 5235 | MPa | — |
| Tensile Strength | 46 | MPa | — |
| Water Absorption (24h, at 23°C) | 16 | mg | — |
| Deflection Temperature (under load 1.80 MPa) †* | 70 | ºC | — |
| Elongation (at break) | 1.2 | % | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- Recommended Testing
- It is recommended that customers test all pigmented gelcoats before use under their own conditions of application to ensure the required surface finish is achieved.
- Additives
- Crystic Gelcoat 44PA is supplied in a limited range of colors. This eliminates the potential for mixing errors with small quantities of pigment paste. The gelcoat is filled, so the addition of further quantities of filler, or pigments, may adversely affect the properties of both liquid and cured gelcoats.
- Post Curing
Satisfactory laminates for many applications can be made with this gelcoat by curing at workshop temperature (20°C).
Packaging & Availability
- Packaging Type
- Packaging
- Crystic Gelcoat 44PA is supplied in 25Kg and 225Kg containers.
Storage & Handling
- Storage
- Crystic Gelcoat 44PA should be stored in the dark in suitable, closed containers. It is recommended that the storage temperature should be less than 20°C where practical, but should not exceed 30°C. Ideally, containers should be opened only immediately prior to use.