Installing Epoxy During Hot Installation Conditions

July 23, 2024

Installing epoxy at high temperatures can present several challenges, which can affect the performance and durability of the epoxy. Here are some common issues:

Accelerated Curing

High temperatures can cause the epoxy to cure much faster than intended. This can reduce the working time and make it difficult to properly mix and apply the epoxy before it begins to set.

Bubbles and Outgassing

High temperatures can increase the likelihood of bubbles forming in the epoxy. This happens because the higher temperatures can cause trapped air and other gases in the substrate or the epoxy mixture to expand and form bubbles.

Viscosity Changes

Epoxy resin and hardener may become too fluid at high temperatures, making it difficult to control the application. This can lead to sagging or running, especially on vertical surfaces.

Storage and Handling

Epoxy components have specific storage temperature requirements. High ambient temperatures will affect the shelf life and performance of the epoxy before it is mixed and applied.

Tips for Installing Epoxy at High Temperatures

Work During Cooler Parts of the Day: If possible, schedule the epoxy application for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.

Use Temperature-Controlled Environments: If working indoors, try to control the temperature of the workspace using air conditioning or other cooling methods.

Mix Small Batches Only: Mixing smaller batches of epoxy can help manage the accelerated curing times and ensure proper application. Small batches are a useful tool at all temperatures.

Pre-cool the Materials: Store the epoxy components in a cooler environment before mixing and applying them.

Follow Manufacturer’s Guidelines: Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for temperature ranges and application procedures to achieve the best results. Support for Epoxy.com products can be found at Epoxy.com Technical support 352-209-5268 or email me at norm@epoxy.com.

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Extending The Epoxy Install Season

October 17, 2017

Cold Temperature Epoxy

Installing Epoxy on Garage Floors in Cold Temperatures

Extend Epoxy Installation Season into Winter

It is that time of year again when I start getting  a lot of calls and emails about installing epoxy in cold temperatures. epoxy_color_chart_s

The best time to protect your floor is before it sees any salt at all. If you have a new garage floor now is the time to protect it.  It is still possible to do older floors but the more salt it sees the more difficult and expensive it can be.

The night temperatures are dropping this time of year. It is still possible to coat your garage floor before temperatures drop too low. Our cold temperature epoxies will cure with substrate temperatures as low as 35 degrees F, although it will set a lot faster at 40 degrees F.

Protecting your garage floors is especially  important in areas that will see salt from roads or ocean spray.  You will want to protect your garage from the ravaging effects of salt deterioration. Without protecting your floor salt will damage your garage floor and make for very expensive repairs later if it is not well protected.

It is not too late to protect your floor even in cold climates if you move quickly now.  Without this protection your garage floor will not be as nice come spring as it is now.  The damage that takes place is not only aesthetic but structural.

Cold Temperatures Epoxies

Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins allow installation to be done at low temperatures as low as 35°F., (although it sets a lot faster at 40°F) expanding your epoxy coating and epoxy flooring installation season. Epoxy.com Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins can also be used in cold storage areas like food processing areas, where the temperature cannot be raised higher than 35° F or so. Normal cured epoxy typically requires 50°F or more.

Depending on how you mix the aggregate into the products below, they can be used as a mortar for overlays, or a grout for sealing between other hardened construction materials.

Commonly Used Cold Temperature epoxies

Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is 100% solids and specially formulated coatings for cold temperature applications. Cold Temperature Epoxy Coating #1 is able to cure at temperatures as low as 35°F. It has Zero (0) VOCs. Since it has no VOCs, it has no solvent so it meets the strictest possible standard for a low VOC coating. It is often used in coolers and food preparation areas that require constant low temperatures. Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is also frequently used in room temperature applications to meet super-fast cure, limited shutdown needs.

Product #10 Cold Temperature Curing Epoxy Mortar Resin – This product has a low modulus of elasticity (flexibility) and is Low Viscosity. The low viscosity allows heavy loading of the right fillers. The heavy filler loading helps not only to save money, but helps to maintain better thermal coefficient with respect to concrete and steel. The low modulus of elasticity prevents it from being brittle making it less vulnerable to thermal coefficient differences. It also gives it better impact resistance.

You can find more information on cold temperature cured epoxy at: http://www.epoxy.com/EpoxyColdCured.aspx.

Please send me your questions to me by email to norm@epoxy.com

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Cold Temperature Epoxy

November 18, 2016

Installing Epoxy in Coolers and Cold Temperature

Extend Epoxy Installation Season into Winter

I have spoken on this subject here before but this time of year I get a lot of calls and emails about installing epoxy in cold temperatures. Our company started out as an installation company in Vermont. Summers are very short and winters are very long in Vermont. To stay a viable company, we had to figure ways of working through the winter.

Tenting and heating areas during the winter is time consuming and expensive. The solution is found in resin products that will set in low temperatures. The most durable and cost effective options of installation at cold temperatures is Epoxy and Methyl Methacrylate.

Cold Temperature Cure Resins can also be used as a super-fast setting Resinous Mortar or Coating at normal temperatures. Our Cold Temperature Cure Resins used at normal temperature give you quick turnaround time for small jobs, or larger jobs that require a short turn-around time.

Cold Temperatures Epoxies

Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins allow installation to be done at low temperatures as low as 35°F., (although it sets a lot faster at 40°F) expanding your epoxy coating and epoxy flooring installation season. Epoxy.com Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins can also be used in cold storage areas like food processing areas, where the temperature cannot be raised higher than 35° F or so. Normal cured epoxy typically requires 50°F or more.

Depending on how you mix the aggregate into the products below, they can be used as a mortar for overlays, or a grout for sealing between other hardened construction materials.

Commonly Used Cold Temperature epoxies

Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is 100% solids and specially formulated coatings for cold temperature applications. Cold Temperature Epoxy Coating #1 is able to cure at temperatures as low as 35°F. It is has Zero (0) VOCs. Since it has no VOCs, it has no solvent so it meets the strictest possible standard for a low VOC coating. It is often used in coolers and food preparation areas that require constant low temperatures. Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is also frequently used in room temperature applications to meet super-fast cure, limited shutdown needs.

Product #10 Cold Temperature Curing Epoxy Mortar Resin – This product has a low modulus of elasticity (flexibility) and is Low Viscosity. The low viscosity allows heavy loading of the right fillers. The heavy filler loading helps not only to save money, but helps to maintain better thermal coefficient with respect to concrete and steel. The low modulus of elasticity prevents it from being brittle making it less vulnerable to thermal coefficient differences. It also gives it better impact resistance.

You can find more information on cold temperature cured epoxy at: http://www.epoxy.com/EpoxyColdCured.aspx.

Please send me your questions to me by email to norm@epoxy.com

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Posted by Norm Lambert