Polyester resin seems to be shrinking.

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pandabarnes

Active Member

• Jul 25, 2015

• #1

This is a continuation on my thread asking for casting advice which RogueTrooper kindly helped me out with. These parts are being cast for an e-11 blaster build.

I cast my parts, and suddenly found that when fitting the front nozzle into the barrel, the cast part is slighty smaller than the original, enough that it now rattles around in the barrel instead of fitting snugly.

I checked them against eachother, and sure enough it looks like the polyester resin i used has somehow shrunk during the curing process.

I did put a tiny bit of black pigment in there too, because I thought it would help to have a nice dark base colour, but I'll try it without and see what happens.

Anyone else had experience of this?

Thanks.

 

xeno

Sr Member

• Jul 25, 2015

• #2

Polyester always shrinks a bit, and probably your mold too !
Epoxy has a lower shrinkage but is more viscous, and some polyurethane resins even lower, you might give that a try (also less smell

 

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IEDBOUNTYHUNTER

Sr Member

• Jul 25, 2015

• #3

Exactly. Polyseter resin is junk. Always use Epoxy.

As with any resin. The more liquid you use. The more shrinkage. You should always try to lay up the parts as dry as possible. They will be stronger and less shrinkage.

 

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pandabarnes

Active Member

• Jul 25, 2015

• #4

Cool, thank you both for the pointers, I'll order some epoxy resin and give that a go.

 

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RogueTrooper

Well-Known Member

• Jul 25, 2015

• #5

Watch your brands also. I've found different brands of polyurethane give different results. Buy small amounts until you're happy with that brands results.

Good luck!

 

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pandabarnes

Active Member

• Aug 10, 2015

• #6

I went with smooth-cast 310, happy with the results except the front nozzle which is still a little too small.

I wanted to post back re epoxy because everyone I've tried to source some from has said I can't use it because it's too exothermic?!

Not sure if that's the correct use of the word, but basically everyone keeps telling me it gets too hot for me to use at home this way.

I can prob get away with the front nozzle, but I was curious about epoxy - any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

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IEDBOUNTYHUNTER

Sr Member

• Aug 10, 2015

• #7

pandabarnes said:

I went with smooth-cast 310, happy with the results except the front nozzle which is still a little too small.

I wanted to post back re epoxy because everyone I've tried to source some from has said I can't use it because it's too exothermic?!

Not sure if that's the correct use of the word, but basically everyone keeps telling me it gets too hot for me to use at home this way.

I can prob get away with the front nozzle, but I was curious about epoxy - any thoughts?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Really. i wouldnt do it in the house. but i do mine in the back yard or the garage. its totally ridiculous. yes it does get hot. and can smoke if you mix up a bunch, but if your just doing a layup with fiberglass cloth or matt theres no way its going to get so hot as to start a fire. Ive been doing fiberglass work for over 20 years. as with any chemicals you of course have to be careful. ive mixed a large batch on purpose just to get it to smoke. it goes crazy for about 40 seconds then dies off. not saying to do that. if you need help with this process PM me and i can help you out. because its used everyday no need to be afraid just need to know how to do it correctly.

 

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pandabarnes

Active Member

• Aug 11, 2015

• #8

ThanksIEDBOUNTYHUNTER - so is the glass fibre resin what I need? I actually have some of that already.

I'm only casting tiny parts, the front nozzle on an e-11, so less than 5cm in all directions.

Thanks.

 

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IEDBOUNTYHUNTER

Sr Member

• Aug 11, 2015

• #9

pandabarnes said:

ThanksIEDBOUNTYHUNTER - so is the glass fibre resin what I need? I actually have some of that already.

I'm only casting tiny parts, the front nozzle on an e-11, so less than 5cm in all directions.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

PM me and send me a pic that way i can see exactly what you will need

 

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pandabarnes

Active Member

• Aug 11, 2015

• #10

Thanks, just PM'd you some details.