Can I use micro balloons in epoxy? I see they make all these goofy filler additives, but aren't they essentially the same as mixing micro balloons in?
micro balloons with epoxy?
- Thread starter whennotsailing
- Start date
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
It depends what you are trying to do. Micro balloons thicken the epoxy and make it sandable, something like cabosil makes a thick paste but isn't so easy to sand. It's much harder though. So yes, you can use micro balloons if you want it to be sanded but if you want a bit more durability then cabosil is the way to go. Nothing goofy about it.
filler for foothold install.
stanton
High on jetskis.
- Location
- atascadero,ca
either will work, just dont go overboard with the epoxy!
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
I tend to use cabosil for that - and I'm careful to wipe off any excess after it's all oozed out since it does set hard. But like Stanton said, either will work.
- Location
- Kansas City MO
If you use microballoons make sure you use a bit more hardner, for some reason they tend to thin the mix.
stanton
High on jetskis.
- Location
- atascadero,ca
i wouldnt alter the ratio, not a good idea.
- Location
- Kansas City MO
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean by "thin the mix" - micro balloons are a thickening filler. If the mix doesn't thicken up then you haven't used enough filler. It's amazing how much you need to put in - the first few scoops just seem to disappear as you mix them in.
The mixing ratio in epoxy resin is pre-set and cannot be altered without weakening the end product. (Other resins do allow alteration of mix ratio to achieve different hardening times).
Adding micro balloons does not alter the mass of the epoxy itself.
- Location
- Kansas City MO
Maybe I did not use enough filler. It must take a lot of material, I used more microballoons than I ever thought I needed. I was impressed with the strength.
I used 2 layers, the first was the standard mix, the second had a bit more hardner.
flight risk are you talking polyester or epoxy?
kraqus
Site Supporter
- Location
- Great State of Texas
Yep....I added 8 scoops of 404 to a cup of mixed resin and I was barely getting to the consistency I wanted.
Benny
- Location
- Reno,NV
i mix 404 and 403...
- Location
- Granbury, TX
Epoxy is an exothermic reaction (gives off heat as it cures). Funny thing about epoxy though is it will harden at an exponentially quicker rate if that heat is not dissipated. If you were to mix 8oz of resin and hardener and leave it in the cup, within 15 minutes or so it will begin to gel. AT that point the epoxy itself is getting warm and then 2 minutes after the gelling point (with a full cup) it will be smoking and hard as a rock.
This does not happen when epoxy is applied to a surface or used to wet out cloth. This is because the epoxy is in a thin layer and whatever it is applied to acts as a large heatsink, keeping the epoxy from heating too quickly.
The same thing happens with micro-balloons, you are adding a large amount of material that acts as a heatsink to keep the epoxy cool. It will still harden, it just takes longer. Basic chemistry....
This does not happen when epoxy is applied to a surface or used to wet out cloth. This is because the epoxy is in a thin layer and whatever it is applied to acts as a large heatsink, keeping the epoxy from heating too quickly.
The same thing happens with micro-balloons, you are adding a large amount of material that acts as a heatsink to keep the epoxy cool. It will still harden, it just takes longer. Basic chemistry....
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
Also, if you want longer working time with your epoxy then pour it out of your mixing pot and onto a tray so it spreads out thin. This dramatically increases working time for the reasons stated above.
chriselmore_1
high on resin
- Location
- san jose ca
should i add filler to epoxy my battery tray insert back in that keeps ripping out?
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
Fillers are to thicken the epoxy so it doesn't run - they don't add any strength. In fact, fillers designed to be sanded do the opposite. So, if your insert fits in there tight then you probably don't need a filler. If there is any kind of gap to fill, however, then I would use something like cabosil to make a thick paste which is very strong.
kraqus
Site Supporter
- Location
- Great State of Texas
WFO Speedracer
A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
- Location
- Alabama
Cabosil does add strength to epoxy, any filler containing microballons , glass or phenolics spheres does not, some fillers are clearly marked high strength.