epox resin pouring in cold weather

[oregon wind]

I just had a conversation with technical support at West Systems Epoxy.

I called to ask for recommendations on pouring their epoxy in cold climate.

I was told that you should use their 205 hardener, and do not use extra!!

Every 20 degree drop in temperature will double the curing time.

using a heat lamp helps, he recommended bringing the epoxy and the rotors to room temperature before pouring.

Thoroughly stir the epoxy/hardner for at least a minute.

I appended  your second post to this one for brevity. TW

West System Epoxy's technical support guy recommend we us their G-Flex Epoxy for our rotors.

He said that the G-flex epoxy is just as strong as their 105 epoxy that is so popular with us turbine builders, but has a rubber molecule in it that allows for expansion and contraction.

This may help prevent moisture gaining access to the steel plates and magnets, or between them.

Has anyone had any experience with this epoxy?

[wdyasq]

I've used more than a few pounds of WEST System epoxy. I will not use it in under 60F/15C temperatures, no matter what the glue-heads in Bay City say. (Gougeon Brothers builds good products. I just find they are suited to a narrow temperature range even with the different hardeners available.)

IF you are going to us epoxy in cooler (cold to me) or warmer temperatures, use one formulated for the temperatures. As the tech said do not use additional hardener. Epoxy hardens from a chemical reaction. Polyester and its' relatives use catalysts.

Almost any chemical reaction doubles or retards every 10C/18F. Some epoxies will gather a lot of moisture if the hardening is slowed bu cold weather. The moisture may effect the chemical reaction.

Ron

[vawtman]

 I'm not sure about West System epoxy but most are very low voc and could be done in your house.Why not pour at room temperature in a room thats up to temperature?

 Am i wrong here?

[oregon wind]

Do you have any experience with their G-flex epoxy?

[wdyasq]

Many of the projects I worked were larger than many houses. And yes, you can move the project indoors and concentrate the fumes. One may want to consult the MSD sheets first. OR, just rent a cheap motel room for the day!

I have no experience with that particular formulation. Whatever the Gougeon tech says about it is probably true.

Ron

[Rover]

As far as West or other "true" epoxy...maybe, but we don't want to have people thinking they can do this with polyester resin based epoxies that they get at the Homer Box, as that might entail a trip to the ER.

I'm all for the survival of the fittest but it is 2 days till Christmas

[SparWeb]

There's an epoxy out there called "Cold-Cure".  Sounds like what you're looking for.  Maybe a google search will turn up some info...