<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Dear Dude-oh so true......<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Gray Fowler<br>
Principal Chemical Engineer<br>
Composites Engineering</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table width=100%>
<tr valign=top>
<td>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>patterndude@attbi.com</b></font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: discussion-request@nsrca.org</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">05/07/2003 04:40 PM</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Please respond to discussion</font>
<br>
<td><font size=1 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> To: discussion@nsrca.org</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> cc: </font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> Subject: Re: Quick building question</font></table>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="Courier New">Hey epoxy cutters,<br>
This may be obvious, but I've seen some statements that can be misleading. <br>
When anything is added to epoxy, it either evaporates out or stays in the <br>
mix. When you add alcohol or acetone to epoxy the mixture will be thinner, <br>
but these solvents will severely weaken the epoxy. When we paint it on balsa <br>
(as in glassing wings) the solvent evaporates off, but if you use thinned <br>
epoxy on other applications (where the epoxy is inside a joint) the solvent <br>
molecules will be bound into the epoxy matrix and the result will be weaker <br>
epoxy.<br>
<br>
You can prove this by leaving the epoxy/alcohol mix 1/4 inch deep in your <br>
epoxy mixing cup. When you come back the next day, it will be cured,but <br>
rubbery.<br>
<br>
The best way to get thin epoxy is to start with a thin epoxy. Don't start <br>
with thick epoxy, unless you don't care about strength.<br>
<br>
--Lance<br>
> Use denatured alcohol (ethanol) to cut epoxy and be real careful how much <br>
> you use. Usually a few drops will thin it down a lot, and adding it will<br>
> take the cure time from whatever it might have been to overnight or longer.<br>
> You can buy it at Walmart in 1 quart cans.<br>
> <br>
> Adding acetone may thin epoxy, but it will attack foam. The only thing I<br>
> use it to thin is Aerogloss Dope.<br>
> <br>
> ----------<br>
> From: Bill Mears <bill@mears.com><br>
> To: discussion@nsrca.org<br>
> Subject: Re: Quick building question<br>
> Date: Wed, May 7, 2003, 9:54 AM<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Can acetone ne used to cut epoxy ?<br>
> <br>
> Terry Brox wrote:<br>
> The view was certainly proof of that LOL<br>
> ----- Original Message -----<br>
> From: "wgalligan" <wgalligan@cnbcom.net> <mailto:wgalligan@cnbcom.net><br>
> To: <discussion@nsrca.org> <mailto:discussion@nsrca.org><br>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 9:12 AM<br>
> Subject: Re: Quick building question<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> I think he os leaning more towards the "something" thing.<br>
> WG<br>
> <br>
> > Are you an epoxy expert or something? LOL<br>
> <br>
<br>
> BTW, Your new contest mate sure has a cute, um, shoe. LOL<br>
> ----- Original Message -----<br>
> From: Gray E Fowler<br>
> To: discussion@nsrca.org <mailto:discussion@nsrca.org><br>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 8:41 AM<br>
> Subject: Re: Quick building question<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Steve- Rubbing alcohol is a mixture of isopropyl and and water. Water<br>
> <br>
> bad. Epoxy hate water.......Plus amines (the epoxy hardener) really do ><br>
> <br>
> not dissolve well in isopropyl. You are better off with methanol or ><br>
> denatured alcohol which is ethanol with a nasty taste killer so you > won't<br>
> drink untaxed alcohol.I do not know what epoxy you are using, but > that<br>
> center reinforcement is easy without cutting the viscosity. Bring > it to my<br>
> house I have lots of low viscosity resins.<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Gray Fowler<br>
> Principal Chemical Engineer<br>
> Composites Engineering<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> "Steve Barlow" <stevebarlow@attbi.com> <mailto:stevebarlow@attbi.com><br>
> Sent by: discussion-request@nsrca.org<br>
> <mailto:discussion-request@nsrca.org><br>
<br>
> 05/06/2003 10:10 PM<br>
> Please respond to discussion<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> To: <discussion@nsrca.org><br>
> <mailto:discussion@nsrca.org><br>
> cc:<br>
> Subject: Quick building question<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Guys,<br>
> <br>
> I'm doing the fiberglass reinforcement over the balsa sheeting where ><br>
> <br>
> the main wings are joined on a .60 size kit. Can I use rubbing alcohol > to<br>
> cut the epoxy with to thin it just a bit? Do you think that would > cause<br>
> me any problems? It sure would make it easier.<br>
> <br>
> Thanks,<br>
> Steve<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> =====================================<br>
> # To be removed from this list, send a message to<br>
> # discussion-request@nsrca.org <mailto:discussion-request@nsrca.org><br>
> # and put leave discussion on the first line of the body.<br>
> #<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> =====================================<br>
> # To be removed from this list, send a message to<br>
> # discussion-request@nsrca.org <mailto:discussion-request@nsrca.org><br>
> # and put leave discussion on the first line of the body.<br>
> #<br>
> <br>
> .<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Courier New">=====================================<br>
# To be removed from this list, send a message to <br>
# discussion-request@nsrca.org<br>
# and put leave discussion on the first line of the body.<br>
#<br>
<br>
</font>
<br>
<br>