ADR246 - HIGH PERFORMANCE LAMINATING SYSTEM

ADR246 is a modification of ADR240 resin and has been specifically designed for use in room temperature or low elevation temperature amine cures in fibre composite boat construction, it has a lower mixed viscosity and has a relatively low activity. This latter feature means that it offers longer working times, hardener for hardener than ADR240, so that our convenient amine hardeners are able to produce significantly longer working times than they otherwise would, This increase is typically in the order of 50%.

The reduction in viscosity is a significant aid to both impregnation machine operations and to hand laminations.

Cured mechanical properties are excellent. Notably, the cured HDT (heat distortion test) with each hardener is raised some 5 -1 0oC Toughness is retained.

ADR246TX is a thixotropic variant of ADR246, that has been designed to avoid problems associated with the low viscosity of ADR246 mixed with long geltime hardener mixes, that have been known to result in vertical surface drainage when high resin contents are employed in heavy laminates. ADR246TX holds up much better whilst retaining all the other desirable properties of ADR246.

PROPERTIES OF ADR246 AND ASSOCIATED HARDENERS

Uncured Properties

ADR246 Resin
Physical State Clear liquid
Viscosity @ 22°C 600 mPa
Specific Gravity 1.14

ADH24 S/Super Fast Hardener
Physical State Clear pale brown liquid
Viscosity @ 22°C 4000 mPa
Specific Gravity 1.09

ADH26 Super Fast Hardener
Physical State Clear pale brown liquid
Viscosity @ 22°C 160 mPa
Specific Gravity 0.99

ADH28 Fast Hardener
Physical State Clear pale brown liquid
Viscosity @ 22°C 160 mPa
Specific Gravity 0.99

ADH160 Medium Hardener
Physical State Clear pale yellow liquid
Viscosity @ 22°C 30 mPa
Specific Gravity 0.95

ADH161 Slow Hardener*
Physical State Clear pale yellow liquid
Viscosity @ 22°C 25 mPa
Specific Gravity 0.94

ADHI 62 Super Slow Hardener*
Physical State - Clear pale yellow liquid
Viscosity @ 22°C 20 mPa
Specific Gravity 0.93

*Post cure suggested in thin film.

** Post cure required before handling or removal from mould/framework - ADH28 exhibits brittle behaviour, while ADH1 62 will exhibit plastic like properties. Care should be taken when removing peel ply or secondary bonding prior to post-cure.

Typical Cured Resin Mechanical Properties
Property/Value
Tensile Modulus 3378 MPa
Tensile Strength 71.71 MPa
Tensile Elongation 7.9%
Compressive Strength (Yield) 99.97 MPa
Flexural Strength 110.3 MPa
Flexural Modulus 3723 MPa
Izod Impact 0.55 ft lb/in notch

Note: Typical values, not to be construed as specification.

Recommended Mix Ratio

ADR246 / ADH24	25 parts hardener to 100 parts resin	(by weight)
ADR246 / ADH26	25 parts hardener to 100 parts resin	(by weight)
ADR246 / ADH28**	25 parts hardener to 100 parts resin	(by weight)
ADR246/ADH160	25 parts hardener to 100 parts resin	(by weight)
ADR246 / AD H 161	25 parts hardener to 100 parts resin	(by weight)
AD R246 / ADH 162**	25 parts hardener to 100 parts resin	(by weight)

Note: great care should be taken when dispensing and mixing. See manufacturer for specific information. Hardeners can be blended to alter cure characterisitcs for specific needs.

Cure Characteristics

ADH24 S/Super Fast Hardener
Pot Life (22°C - 200 grams) 18 minutes
Thin-laminate Gel Time (@ 22°C) I hours
HDT after 7 days at 22°C 70°C
Ultimate HDT 92°C
Typical Post Cure 24hrs@20°C+ 12hrs@60°C

ADH26 Super Fast Hardener
Pot Life (22°C - 100 grams) 45 minutes
Thin-laminate Gel Time (@ 22°C) 3 hours
HDT after 7 days at 22°C 60°C
Ultimate HDT 98°C
Typical Post Cure 24hrs@20°C+ 16hrs@60°C

ADH28 Fast Hardener -Post cure always required
Pot Life (22°C - 100 grams) 95 minutes
Thin-laminate Gel Time (@ 22°C) 4 hours
HDT after 7 days at 22°C 60°C Brittle
Ultimate HDT 1 OO°C+
Typical Post Cure 24hrs@20°C+ 20hrs@60°C

ADH160 Medium Hardener
Pot Life (22°C - 100 grams) 135 minutes
Thin-laminate Gel Time (@ 22°C) 6 hours
HDT after 7 days at 22°C 52°C
Ultimate HDT 82°C
Typical Post Cure 24hrs@20°C+ 24hrs@60°C

ADH 161 Slow Hardener - Post cure suggested for thin laminates
Pot Life (22°C - 100 grams) 165 minutes
-pThin-laminate Gel Time (@ 22°C) 6.25 hours
HDT after 7 days at 22°C 51°C
Ultimate HDT 81°C
Typical Post Cure 24hrs@20°C+ 24hrs@60°C

ADH1 62 Super Slow Hardener - Post cure always required
Pot Life (22°C - 100 grams) 200 minutes
Thin-laminate Gel Time (@ 22°C) 6.5 hours
HDT after 7 days at 22°C 50°C
Ultimate HDT 80°C
Typical Post Cure '24hrs@2°C+ 24hrs@60°C

MONITORING OF CURE
A laminator wishing to monitor progress of cure has a number of on the spot options open to him. Small test aliquots of mixed resin can be placed in waxed lids during lamination. These should be subjected to the same cure conditions as the actual laminate, and later compared with standard samples which are known to be fully cured. The samples should be flat on the bottom and approximately 2 to 3 mm thick. Allowance should be made for the possible effect of foam core insulating the curing resin, and reducing the cure of the inner layer. Verification of the degrees of cure is ideally done by comparison of tensile, compressive and flexural properties, but this form of testing is not practical for laminate quality control because it is so time consuming.

Barcol Hardness testing on the curing aliquots is a simple, expedient test which uses commonly available equipment. However, there is considerable doubt as to the relationship of Barcol development and degree of cure. A cured sample will have a Barcol in the region of 30 @ 20°C.

A better alternative means of comparison is to meter the development of Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT) by immersing the aliquots in a vessel of warming water and noting the temperature at which the resin becomes rubbery. Providing sample thickness is kept constant, this simple technique gives surprisingly reproducible results and is more immediately relevant than Barcol testing.

HDT Profile of ADR246/246TX with Various Hardeners at 25°C

Cure Schedule	ADH24	ADH26	ADH28	ADH160
24hrs	54°C	50°C	<50°C Brittle	37°C
48hrs	58°C	58°C	58°C Brittle	50°C
72hrs	60°C	60°C	60°C Brittle	53°C
7 days	65°C	63°C	63°C Brittle	58°C
7 days + 24hrs @45°C	75°C	73°C	75°C	65°C
7 days + 48hrs @45°C	81°C	81°C	80°C	70°C
28 days	68°C	68°C	68°C	60°C

Ultimate

92°C

98°C

1OO°C+

82°C

HDT Profile of ADR246/246TX with Various Hardeners at 15'C

Cure Schedule	ADH24	ADH26	ADH28	ADH160
24hrs	45°C	33°C	30°C	Brittle Soft
48hrs	50°C	43°C	45°C Brittle	35°C
72hrs	53°C	48°C	52°C Brittle	42°C
7 days	55°C	50°C	55°C Brittle	45°C
7 days + 24hrs @35°C	62°C	57°C	62°C	55°C
7 days + 48hrs @35°C	65°C	60°C	65°C	60°C
Ultimate	92°C	98°C	1OO°C+	82°C

CAUTION

When cured these resins, like all plastics, undergo a transition to a rubbery state when heated above their HDT.

Operators should be constantly aware that a partly cured resin will not have developed full HDT, and that components should not be heated above this temperature when they are not supported by vacuum and a mould. Be aware, for example, that heating will cause a considerable build up of pressure in gases in a low density core, and this will always tend to lift a laminate.

Care should also be taken to avoid heating unsupported laminates above the HDT of bonding resins and foam cores.

PACKAGING

This product is available in the following sizes:

ADR246 and ADR246TX Resin	4 kg	18 kg	192 kg
ADH24; ADH26; ADH28 Hardener	1 kg	4.5 kg	48 kg
ADH160; ADH161; ADH162 Hardener	1 kg	4.5 kg	48 kg

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The ADR246/ADH epoxy system is general quite harmless if the normal safety precautions are taken, contact with the eyes and skin should be avoided with protective eye wear and impervious gloves. As with all amine based systems, they have a moderate sensitising potential and should be considered to be mild skin corrosives.

* Use with good ventilation and adequate safety equipment including impervious gloves.

* If skin contact occurs, remove contaminated clothing immediately, and wash the infected area thoroughly with a lanolin based hand cleaner and water, avoiding the use of solvents except in the case of massive contamination.

* If eye contact occurs, immediately wash with running water for fifteen (15) minutes and seek medical advice.

* If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre.