Have you recently purchased epoxy or polyester and are you wondering if it makes sense to work with polyester or epoxy in hot weather? In this article we explain to you what you should pay attention to and what is and is not possible. We offer you 8 tips for working in hot summer temperatures.
The ideal processing temperature of epoxy is 20 degrees Celsius. At higher temperatures you have to deal with a faster processing time and curing. At lower temperatures you have to deal with a slow curing. In the ideal situation you would start working with epoxy at room temperature, but it is of course possible that you start working during the winter or in the middle of summer. You then have to deal with less ideal epoxy processing temperatures. To make your project a success during higher temperatures, we have listed a number of tips for you:
Tip 1: Do not mix too much at once.
Polyester and epoxy cure through a chemical reaction. The greater the volume created, the faster the polymerization and therefore the processing time.
Tip 2: Pour epoxy floor coating or epoxy cast floor immediately.
After mixing all components, make sure you pour epoxy floor coating or cast floor directly onto the floor.
Tip 3: Don't work in direct sunlight.
Make sure you work in the shade. In the sun, your polyester or epoxy gets even hotter and the cure time is even shorter or worse, the resin may even get too hot.
Tip 4: Store components in a cool, dark room.
Make sure your polyester and hardener or epoxy are kept in a cool (12-20 degrees), dark room. For example in a basement or closet.
Tip 5: Process materials quickly.
Make sure you are well prepared for your job so you can get started as soon as the components are mixed. At higher temperatures, processing time is significantly reduced.
Tip 6: Work in the morning.
If you decide to process plastics at higher temperatures, it is best to work in the morning if the temperatures are not yet at their maximum. This gives more time for processing.
Tip 7: Reduce the amount of polyester hardener.
When working with polyester resin, you can change the dosage of the hardener for slower curing. With laminating resin you can use 1.5% for a longer processing time. See the product sheet for polyester laminating resin or polyester casting resin.
Please note: always follow the specified mixing ratio for epoxy resin!
Tip 8: Use a different epoxy system.
If possible, you can opt for a different epoxy system. For example, a casting resin for large castings or a universal slow epoxy. These systems have a relatively longer processing time.
Our final tip: if in doubt, contact us. Does the temperature deviate significantly from the ideal processing temperature of epoxy and are you unsure if it makes sense to work with these materials? Then contact our customer service and we will be happy to help you.
Do you have a specific question? Call one of our specialists for free advice +3185 0220090
