Epoxy Installation Terminology

Epoxy.com technical support staff gets asked a lot about epoxy terminology. This page deals with the terms associated with epoxy  installation times.  Specifically “Epoxy Pot Life” sometimes called the epoxy’s “Working Time“, “Tack Free Time“, “Initial Cure”,  and “Final Cure” sometimes called the epoxy’s “Full Chemical Cure“.  Keep in mind that all of the information below assumes that the epoxy has been properly measured and mix. The information is specificall based on Epoxy.com Products, but is typically true about many 100% solids epoxies.

Epoxy Pot Life aka Working Time

The “Pot Life” of epoxy is the time that it takes for it to start gelling in the in the mix vessel (typically a bucket). One important thing to remember is that this is done by a standard which is 200 grams of the material at a given temperature typically 70° F or 77° F. So remember that the bigger you make the  batch of Epoxy.com resin, the faster the batch will set.  See the Epoxy Pot Life Page for more details.

Epoxy Tack Free Time

The “Tack Free Time” of the epoxy is pretty much just what it sounds like.  It is the time that the epoxy is no longer sticky to the touch. When the epoxy is “Tack Free” it can be handle or even walked on if necessary, but you will want to be careful because the epoxy will be very vulnerable to scratching right after it becomes “Tack Free”. The “Tack Free Time” given on the product’s Epoxy.com technical data sheet is also at a specific temperature, typically 77°F.

Epoxy Initial Cure Time

The “Initial Cure” is not the same as “Tack Free“.  Typically “Initial Cure” is about twice as long as the Tack Free Time. Most epoxies have about 80% of the epoxy’s final cure at “Initial Cure“. After the Epoxy’s “Initial Cure” the epoxy is still vulnerable to scratching, but typically strong enough that these scratching will be strictly esthetic and not structural. In cases where time permits and esthetics are essential you may want to wait 1.5 to 2 times the “Initial Cure” of the epoxy before you allow heavy traffic or rougher handling. The primary outside force that can effect this time is temperature. The epoxy’s “Initial Cure” time assumes the temperature indicated on the technical data sheet, or 77° F. if not otherwise specified.

Final Cure aka “Full Chemical Cure”

When the epoxy has reached its “Final Cure” it has achieved the strengths indicated on the Epoxy.com technical data sheet. It also means that the epoxy has reached its full water resistance and full chemical resistance. This time also is also effected by temperature, similar to all the other times listed above. One interesting note is that “Final Cure” when the epoxy is 99% cured.  Epoxy will continue to harden for as much as a year.  So  the “Final Cure” for epoxy is like the “28 day” cure on concrete.  It is typically said that the concrete is fully cured in 28 days.  In fact concrete will under the right conditions continue to cure for up to 100 years.

For more information email me at
norm@epoxy.com
  or visit Epoxy.com “Where to Start” Page for more information.

Norm Lambert
President & Director of Technical Support
Epoxy Systems, Inc Florida & Vermont USA
Available by Phone M-F 9AM-4PM Eastern Time (6 AM – 1 PM Pacific Time)
352-533-2167 (Voice)
352-465-3497 (fax)
norm@epoxy.com
www.epoxy.com
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Epoxy.com Zero VOC Epoxy Primers and Sealers

Epoxy.com Product #695 BPO Hardener for Epoxy.com Methlyl Methacrylate (MMA)


Epoxy.com Product #695

Methyl Methacrylate Hardener (Hardening Powder – BPO)


Description

Epoxy.com Product #695 Hardener Powder (BPO) for Epoxy.com MMA Flooring
Systems is for use with Epoxy.com Products #691, #692, #693,
#697, #698 & #699. Epoxy.com Product #695 Hardener Powder (BPO) for Epoxy.com MMA Flooring Systems dosing can be changed due to temperature and desired set time / working time.
Epoxy.com Product #695 must be well mixed with Epoxy.com MMA before adding any
other aggregates and fillers.  After mixing the Epoxy.com Product #695
Hardening Powder into Epoxy.com  MMA the polymerization reaction which
leads to the hardening of the MMA begins.

Composition

Epoxy.com Product #695 is a white dry powder consisting of 50% BPO,
Dibenzoylperoxide.

Technical Data

Appearance Sandy, white dry powder
Content of Dibenzoylperoxide andDicydohexlphtalate Approximately 50%
Self-accelerating decomposition temperature  140° F
Self-ignition temperature >680°F
Solubility Not soluble in water

Packaging

5 lbs 1gallon Pail
15 lbs 3 gallon Pail
55 lbs Box

Use

Epoxy.com Product #695 MMA Hardener Powder must be mixed just immediately
before the application of Epoxy.com MMA. All other powders and fillers must
be added after
Epoxy.com Product #692 and the Epoxy.com MMA resin have been well mixed
together. A dosing chart is shown below.  Be sure to double check with
the individual technical data sheets for the Epoxy.com MMA you are mixing
with Epoxy.com Product #692.

Caution

Epoxy.com Product #692 is an oxidizing agent that violently decomposes
under the influence of heat or when it comes in contact with deducing
agents.  Do Not mix With Accelerators. 
Store separately from Epoxy.com MMA resins.  Review MSDS information
completely before using this or any other Epoxy.com Products.

Storage

Store in tight containers in dry environments below 80°F.

Mix Ratios

PRODUCT       SUBSTRATE/MATERIAL TEMPERATURE (°F) Epoxy.com Product #695 MMA Hardener (BPO)VOL OZ.PER GALLON OF RESIN
#691 MMA Primer 30°F 12.7
40°F 9.0
50°F 7.5
60°F 5.5
70°F 3.5
90°F 1.8
#692 MMA Flexible Membrane   40° F 8.0
50°F 7.0
60°F 5.0
70°F 5.0
90°F 3.0-4.0
Epoxy.com #693 MMA                 40°F 5.5
50°F 4.5
60°F 3.5
70°F 2.0
90°F 1.0-2.0

For more information Contact:

Norm Lambert
President &
Director of Technical Support
Epoxy Systems, Inc
Available by Phone M-F 9AM-4PM Eastern Time (6 AM – 1 PM Pacific Time)
352-533-2167 (Voice)
352-465-3497 (fax)
norm@epoxy.com
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Epoxy.com Product #693 Methyl Methacrylate Coating


Epoxy.com Product #693

Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Coating

For Top Coating All Epoxy.com Methyl Metacrylate Systems


DESCRIPTION

Epoxy.com Product #695 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Coating is
a 100% reactive, medium viscosity methyl methacrylate resin developed as a
topcoat for exterior or interior use with Epoxy.com MMA Systems.  Epoxy.com
Product #695 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Coating is semi-flexible for outside use
and will not yellow after
curing. Its excellent clarity makes it ideal for sealing color quartz and vinyl
flake systems. It is excellent for
exterior applications such as parking decks, concrete and steel stairs, ramps,
and numerous other applications.

USES

  • Parking decks
  • Steel and Concrete Stairs
  • Ramps
  • Wooden and Concrete Decks
  • Balconies
  • Driveways

ADVANTAGES

  • Low temperature accelerators are available for positive cures at temperatures from 32° to 55°F.
  • Excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals.
  • Easy to apply by conventional painting techniques.
  • Clear after curing.
  • Suitable for USDA food handling areas.
  • Quick recoat time 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Flexibility makes it ideal for cold temperature, over wood, and outside
    uses.

CONSIDERATIONS

  • Concrete must be dry, free of dirt, waxes, curing agents and other foreign
    materials.
  • Do not store outside in direct sunlight, storage temperature must be < 80°F.
  • Substrate must be completely dry.
  • On or below grade installation must have an efficient vapor barrier under
    the slab (minimum 10-15 mil).
  • Moisture vapor transmission must be less than 3 pounds per ASTM-F-1869
    and less than 80% RH per

ASTM F-2170.

COMPOSITION

Epoxy.com Product #693 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Coating is a 100% reactive
methyl methacrylate resin.

APPLICATION

SURFACE PREPARATON

Surface Preparation is the most critical portion of any successful resinous flooring system application. All
substrates must be properly prepared as outlined in
Epoxy.com Surface Preparation Guide.

MIXING/APPLICATION

Epoxy.com Product #693 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Sealer and Coating requires
the addition of  Epoxy.com Product #695 MMA Hardener to start the hardening
process. The amount of hardener must be adjusted to the respective surface temperature (see table
below). At temperatures below 40�F, Epoxy.com Product #696 Accelerator must be used in addition to the amount of hardener used at
the 40�F level (about � oz by
vol./gal. @ 32°F up to 2.0 oz by vol./gal. @ -20°F).

For Epoxy.com Product #693 MMA Resin

Temp. (°F) of Resin,

Air & Floor SurfaceHardener % by Wt.

Based on Wt. of

#693 ResinHardener by Vol.

(oz.) Based on

Gallon of #693 ResinPot Life (min.)Harden Time (min.)+403.05.5Approx. 40Approx. 60+502.54.5Approx. 30-35Approx. 50+602.03.5Approx. 25-30Approx. 45+701.02.0Approx. 20Approx. 40

Epoxy.com Product #693 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Coating  must be applied 50-100 sq. ft./gal. (16-32 mils) for safe
through-hardening. To avoid yellowness do not apply more than 80 mils (20 sq ft/gal.).
For outdoor applications add 1% Epoxy.com Product #693 UV Inhibitor at a
rate of 1% by volume. Pigmented topcoats are achieved by adding pigment packs (1 quart per 5 gallons
resin) to Epoxy.com Product #693 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Coating.
Apply material with a notched trowel or squeegee and back roll with a short nap
mohair roller.

CLEAN UP

Clean skin with soap and water; use MEK, xylene, or clean proprietary epoxy thinners for equipment.
Consult Material Safety Data Sheet for safety and health precautions.

COVERAGE

will yield 16-32 mils at 50-100 square feet per gallon, average.

COLOR SELECTION

Contact Epoxy.com Sales Department

TECHNICAL DATA

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Working Life 20-40 min. will vary with Temp

& amount of hardenerRecoat time45-60 minutesSolids Content100%Mix RatioSee chart aboveViscosity220-225 cps approx.Weight Per Gallon8.1 lbs.

MAINTENANCE

Epoxy.com Product #693 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Sealer and Coating is considered to be a low maintenance flooring solution. Certain textures and environments,
however, require specific cleaning with bristled brushes. Due to the thermoplastic character of MMA resins,
black marks can occur from fork lifts and tires skidding.

STORAGE

Store in a cool and dry place, below 80°F, out of direct sunlight. Do not store near open flame or food. Shelf life
is 6 months in the original unopened containers.

HELPFUL HINTS

Adequate cross ventilation should be provided. Good ventilation during the processing ensures a good cross
linking and hardening. Read, understand and follow Material Safety Data Sheets and Application Instructions
prior to use.

Use only as directed. If substrate and/or material temperature is above 90°F, DO NOT apply material.

Keep Out of Reach Of Children

Contact Epoxy.com Technical Support with your questions about this
product at 352-533-2167. Epoxy.com Technical Support Department can help you
with the selection, specification, installation, and maintenance of
Epoxy.com products, or visit http://www.epoxy.com/.

Norm Lambert
President &
Director of Technical Support
Epoxy Systems, Inc
Available by Phone M-F 9AM-4PM Eastern Time (6 AM – 1 PM Pacific Time)
352-533-2167 (Voice)
352-465-3497 (fax)
norm@epoxy.com
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]
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