Marine Adhesives

Written by MMA engineers: 1/C Foley 2/C Maguire 3/C McQueen 3/C Sunde reports received by midnight 9/15/2001 __________________________________________________________________ Epoxy 3070 __________________________________________________________________ Today we used the epoxy # 3070 on five different samples. The samples were OW (oak wood), SS (stainless steel), CS (carbon steel), AH (heavy aluminum sheet), AL (light aluminum sheet). The first thing that we did when we began this lab was to wash all of the metal with hot soapy water to remove fingerprints and oily greases from, and dry. After that, we laid out the metals and wood to mark with a pencil where we will overlap the SS, CS, AH so Prof. Ucci's students can perform a tension test. The Al was over lapped one piece over another to perform a peel test. The oak wood will be over lapped and compression test will be performed. We labeled all of the materials with a waterproof pen with the date, epoxy codes, cure conditions, and material. Then we worked in the fume hood and mixed both the catalyst and resin with equal parts on a paper plate and stirred with wooden (tongue) depressors. After that, I went back to the workstation and spread an even and smooth amount of epoxy onto the metal and wood surfaces. On the metal surfaces we used one small clothes pin clamp to apply pressure to the metal of the adhered surface. We found that the pot life of the mixed epoxy was about ten minutes; after that the epoxy began to get tacky and was hard to work with. I recommend mixing the epoxy under a fume hood. I found that while applying the epoxy the fumes did not bother me. The resin and catalyst was a paste-like substance and a little difficult to mix. I don’t feel that applying the epoxy will be a problem. The only thing that I can see is that it will take a longer time for the epoxy to set up. _______________________________________________________ The Adhesive we used was the type 3070. Some observations are that (we) had two cans, one was the resin and the other was the adhesive catalyst. (We) had to mix the two together. Once they were mixed, the pot-life was about 5-7 minutes long. Gloves should be used because it is very hard to keep the adhesive off of you while trying to apply the adhesive. Also, only apply a small amount because it is easily spread over a large surface. Another suggestion is to use the fume hood while mixing, but for applying epoxy, it (the fume hood) is optional. My technical thoughts about applying this adhesive in water is that it will probably take longer, which means the pot-life will become a factor. ________________________________________________________ Repairitquik Epoxy ________________________________________________________ Observations: The adhesive was easily mixed with bare hands. The directions call for the application to (knead) the "putty" (until it) becomes a uniform color. Applying the "putty" is quite easy as it spreads with little effort. Thoughts: The entire mixing precedure would be impossible given the sub's limited dexterity; however, mixing could be done on the surface before the dive. (editor's note: what is the pot life underwater?) The applying would be very simple as the adhesive would only have to be "smeared" on the rock surface; this could be done with a tool or with the sub arm itself. If the sub could bring down a large amount of pre-mixed RiQ, at this point I beleive that most of the obstacles would be overcome. ________________________________________________________ Bio-Fix 911 ________________________________________________________ The adhesive I was working on is called Bio-fix 911. It requires the mixing of equal parts of both the base and activater until a uniform color appears. Its consistency is like that of soft ice cream, which may mean it may be hard to apply in moving water. Its color is very earthy and dull. This may make it hard to see in deep, murkey water. The smell of the base is very overpowering and thus it shouldn't be opened or exposed in an enclosed, unventilated space. Also, while curing, it emits a large amount of heat for the amount mixed. The hardest problem to address is the application. Once mixed, the epoxy is extremely gooey, and needs to be applyed quickly for maximum effect. As such, a gun would need to be constructed for application. My personal thoughts, as of right now, is that this substance is a poor candidate for the job prescribed. _________________________________________________________ No reports were received for Fastweld epoxy or Epoxo88 epoxy. _________________________________________________________