Alternatives to epoxy

[finga]

Gidday all,
I was just thinking and it might be a really stupid question but at least I'll know the answer...
How would 2 pack clear with a flex additive be as an alternative to epoxy on bindings, wraps, weaves etc??
Will it be too brittle or chip too easily or...what would be the result??
Thanks then
Scott.

[sleepygreg]

Has Erskine K two pack gone off the market? That is what I used for years as a an epoxy on both binds and wraps. Everything from 2kg flick sticks, to 24kg Game rods. Epoxy is a generic term applied to a two part formula for both adhesive and top coat in the fishing industry. Though it gets confusing when some companys market single pack 'epoxy'. Rule of thumb is thin layers and mutiple applications. if you try to get the whole job done in one application, it wil turn out milky, and crack within twelve months.

Greg

[Mark Fisher]

Sorry to differ with you Greg but the days of the Erskine 2 pack are ancient history. It is a good standby when you have nothing else available but modern technology leads me to think I will NEVER use it again. There are so many really good quality epoxies on the market now that have much better qualities than the old erkine epoxy. Try Flex Coat, LS Supreme, Threadmaster, Crystal Coat etc. All of these are super clear, designed to go on as a high build or a lite build, have advanced bubble releasing agents and remain flexible. Threadmaster even has UV protectors in it. Why would anyone use Erskine?

To answer your question Scott, the only thing other than a specific epoxy 2 pack for rods that I would use would be permagloss from the US. Multiple layers of almost water thin consistancy and looks great when finished.

Regards
Mark

[oldboot]

Sorry to disagree on the definition of "epoxy" .

Epoxy is a very specific group of resins......not all epoxies are two pack and most definitely not all two pack products are epoxies.

The important and significant thing about epoxises is that once cured they can not revert to an uncured state, and while some are diluted with solvents or carriers, in the curing process ALL of the parts of the actulal resin convert into the cured resin.

Examples
...polyester resin, as generaly used in fibreglass is two pack but not an epoxy....in truth it is not a two pack but a catalised resin.

....Wattyl superetch primer is an single pack epoxy paint.

....Some powder coating products are heat activated epoxies and do not reflow when heated again.


If you are looking for alternatives, I think you will have to go a long way to find something that performs as well as an appropriate epoxy.

However all sorts of things were used prior to the epoxies.

Nail varnish ( mostly nitro/celulose laquer) was used extensivly by hobbyist rod makers for decades....I do not see why acrillic laquer would not work well.

Nitro isn't real flash with UV... acrillic might be a bit better.

Some of the marine varnishes may be worth a look.

Even the old favorite shelac would be worth a try..... particulrly in some of the modern variants like white shelac and hard shelac.

I think with the non epoxies you would be more dependent on the qulaity of the binding work......the epoxies realy do supply considerable strenght... once doped with epoxy the bindings would effectivly be a fibre reinforced plastic.
where with the other resins the binding would be more like a resin stablised fabric.

cheers