When it comes to curing epoxy, nothing is more important than a constant and uniform heat distribution. With a proper cure, you ensure the integrity and strength of your product. When epoxies are properly cured, they will become solid. The picture below is a good example of how epoxy cures depending on heat and time.
An uneven cure of epoxy can have several negative consequences, including:
- Discoloration/Yellowing
- Color Variation
- Blushing
- Uneven Gloss
- Poor Inter-Coat Adhesion
9 Things to consider in an Epoxy Heating/Curing Solution
- Prevent uneven gloss and poor inter-coat adhesion by finding a solution that evenly heats over the entire surface area.
- Find a heating solution that will maintain the proper application temperature. The warmer the resin and hardener, the lower the viscosity.
- Find a customizable heating solution that will properly fit the size and shape of your application to maintain maximum control. A cool epoxy is more difficult to meter and combine with the resin and hardener.
- Ensure less maintenance downtime by finding a heating product with a track record of performance.
- Ensure that the epoxy resin and hardener will flow through dispensing pumps easily by maintaining the appropriate heat.
- Ensure more cross-linking by warming the materials while mixing to initiate a better chemical reaction.
- Prevent air bubble entrapment and safeguard the strength and effectiveness of the epoxy by having the right heating solution.
- Prevent contamination by not using Kerosene or propane heaters since they can inhibit the cure as well as contaminate epoxy surfaces.
- Prevent under-curing, as it can cause delaminations and product failures by finding an evenly heated and temperature-controlled solution.