There are three main types of boat building resins.
Is epoxy a kind of vinyl polyester.
These are cheaper than epoxy resins and more expensive than polyester.
Vinyl ester falls between polyester and epoxy on price most physical properties and handling qualities.
The majority of commercial vinyl polyester resins are derived from bisphenol a diglycidyl ether dgeba as the epoxy component and acrylic or methacrylic acid as the vinyl monomer in the polymer.
The less mekp added the longer the pot life working time will be.
As with many products the surface must be prepared properly.
If it is not then poor curing and adhesion may result.
In the case where a part originally manufactured utilizing polyester or vinylester has yielded to strain and cracked a well reinforced epoxy repair will tenaciously hold to the substrate with 2000 psi strength vinylester.
The properties of the cross linked resin depend on the type of epoxy and vinyl monomer reactive diluent used and their relative amounts.
There are a couple of exceptions.
Polyester is an adequate adhesive but not as good as epoxy.
They are used for gluing fiber glassing moisture sealing and coating or encapsulating.
Typically catalyst is used between 1 25 to 1 75 1 2 3 ounce to 2 1 3 ounces per gallon.
Epoxy vinyl ester and polyester resins.
Many high strain repair areas and lightweight parts must flex and strain without micro fracturing.
This is oversimplified but it does help convey the qualities of the resin.
A hardener for epoxy or catalyst for polyester vinyl ester for activating the resin and ensuring that it eventually cures to a hard plastic material.
The applying procedure involves the preparing of the mixture preparing of the surface the applying and curing of the mixture and the final cleaning.
Polyester materials can be affected by amines in the epoxy hardener.
Always use the exact amounts of hardener or catalyst specified by the manufacturer or the resin will not cure properly.
That makes epoxy resin usually the best choice for fiberglass repair work.
Vinyl ester resins are often considered a cross between polyester resins and epoxy resins.
Resins play a multi purpose role in boat building.
As a general rule the tensile strength of a polyester bond will be around 20 percent weaker than the same bond made with epoxy.
We know polyester gelcoat can be used over west system epoxy.
A resin such as epoxy polyester or vinyl ester.
As jeff wright wrote in polyester over epoxy in epoxyworks 22.
Like polyester resins they require mekp as a catalyst to cure or harden.
Due to the type of material and ease of distribution the polyester stickers can be used as a cost effective solution when choosing adhesives for promos or campaigns in order to make a big impact.