Rocketpoxy Bad??

[cwbullet]

I put it in microwave for about 15 seconds and all crystals were dissolved.

I thought about that. My wife said that “I am not putting that crap in her good microwave”.

 

[Dad Man Walking]

Epoxy resins like 4100 and West will crystalize when stored in cold temperatures. Garage storage in 40 degree California winters is enough to do it for my stash. But it's reversible just by warming it up. Is it possible that this is what's going on with the Rocketpoxy? I have some of that but haven't started using it for much yet.

 

[Wallace]

That's one reason I always keep a "shop" fridge,stove and microwave, She'd never allow such behavior, unless of course not home at the time

 

[David Schwantz]

I might just like this rocketpoxy stuff when I learn to use it

 

[Banzai88]

If you like RP for fillets, wait till you get ahold of some Proline 4500!

 

[David Schwantz]

i normally use Hysol 9462, tried rocketpoxy due to wanting to try dying it. What is proline?

 

[Banzai88]

https://wildmanrocketry.com/products/4500q

 

[jd2cylman]

If you like RP for fillets, wait till you get ahold of some Proline 4500!

Yeah, you'll get it everywhere, maybe even on the rocket...

 

[cwbullet]

I actually prefer RP over Proline 4500 for fillets.

 

[Banzai88]

Yeah, you'll get it everywhere, maybe even on the rocket...

Just like any other glue.

I actually prefer RP over Proline 4500 for fillets.

Ever since I figured out 4500, I haven't worried about dye ratio nor sanded a fillet for shape. Quick 320 scuff for primer and done.

 

[caveduck]

Never had RP crystallize on me but here in SD it stays pretty warm most of the time. You do have to be aware of the rated 18 month shelf life...you can exceed that by maybe 50% but the hardener gets very stiff and separates. It will still cure if you stir up the components before mixing, but the mechanical mixing gets really difficult. It seems rather temperature and age sensitive for pot life.

 

[prfesser]

There's apparently a huge variation in actual vs. recommended shelf life of epoxies and their curatives. I have a half-filled quart of Fibre Glast 20-minute curative that was given to me about 10 years ago, and it wasn't new then. Had to punch a hole in the very-rusty cap to get some out. It still cures generic laminating epoxy to a very rigid product at the 100:23 ratio on the can.

I've posted this thought before, but IMHO most epoxies are so very strong compared to the substrates used in hobby rocketry, that buying a name brand is rarely necessary....unless (a) you like some specific properties of the epoxy you're buying, or (b) you're doing an extreme project, such as a mach-plus minimum diameter with surface-glued fins.

Best -- Terry

 

[Pem Tech]

I apologize. The belt is not needed to harden rocketpoxy.

I thought it was funny.

 

[Nytrunner]

Never had RP crystallize on me but here in SD it stays pretty warm most of the time. You do have to be aware of the rated 18 month shelf life...you can exceed that by maybe 50% but the hardener gets very stiff and separates. It will still cure if you stir up the components before mixing, but the mechanical mixing gets really difficult. It seems rather temperature and age sensitive for pot life.

That's interesting.

My leftover hardener is definitely thick, but still stirrable, the resin on the other hand has a very thick pasty layer at the bottom of the container that I need a warm water bath and much massaging with a popsicle stick to break up

 

[Wallace]

That's interesting.

My leftover hardener is definitely thick, but still stirrable, the resin on the other hand has a very thick pasty layer at the bottom of the container that I need a warm water bath and much massaging with a popsicle stick to break up

I've experienced the same. I do have a kit that's gotta be 2 years old with maybe 3/16" left on the bottoms of the "tubs" that's fairly ugly. Sill works fine, so instead of tossing it I just use it where it'll never be seen. And let's not even mention those cursed foam lid protectors....