TO-29-2, a two-component epoxy resin, is designed for the production of heat-resistant composite tooling using vacuum infusion. The resin exhibits low viscosity at impregnation temperatures, enabling the production of low-porosity composite materials. The self-heating time of 500 g of resin from 20°C to 60°C is over 8 hours.
Features and Benefits
Wide processing window > 8 hours at 25°C
Pre-cure at room temperature
Low ectotherm
Glass transition temperature 220°C at a curing temperature of 200°C
Low porosity and moisture saturation
Use for the production of large-sized tooling
The tinted hardener simplifies control over the mixing quality
Recommended processing conditions
Assemble the vacuum bag. Perform a leak test; the vacuum drop rate should be no more than 1 mbar per minute. The residual pressure in the bag should be no more than 10 mbar. Assemble a second vacuum bag, placing sacrificial fabric or drainage material between the layers of vacuum film. Perform a leak test on the second vacuum bag. The residual pressure in the bag should be no more than 10 mbar. It is recommended to dry the reinforcing filler under vacuum for at least 3 hours.
Thoroughly mix components A and B at 20-25°C in a weight ratio of 100:58.3. The dosing error for the components should not exceed 2%. It is recommended to use devices with automatic mixing and mix under vacuum.
Degas for 15-30 minutes at a temperature of 20-25 °C and a vacuum of no more than 10 mbar.
Maintaining the tooling temperature at 20-25°C, begin the infusion process at a binder temperature of 25°C. Once the bag is completely saturated, close the binder inlets. Let it sit for 30-120 minutes and then close the outlets from the inner bag.
After 48-72 hours at 25°C, the tooling can be carefully removed from the master model and post-cured without the tooling. If necessary, the tooling can be heated to 40-60°C to improve its mechanical properties and then removed from the master model.
It is not recommended to mix more than 25 kg at a time in one container.
Post-curing
Heat to 70°C at a rate of <2°C/h, then from 70°C to 200°C at a rate of <5°C/h.
Maintain at 200°C for 1 hour.
Cool to room temperature at a rate not exceeding 5°C/min.
Storage conditions
Unmixed, the components have a shelf life of 3 months at 25°C. Component B must be stored with the lid tightly closed. Crystallization of component B may occur when cooled. Before using, if component B becomes cloudy, warm it to ~50°C until the cloudiness (sediment) completely disappears. Cool component B to room temperature before use. Component A is recommended to be stored at a temperature not exceeding 8°C; under these conditions, the shelf life is at least 1 year.
