Color Hues
To obtain the designed EzFloMix™ color mix 10% of the pigment on the weight of the
Polyester/Vinylester, Epoxy or Polyurethane resin. This guideline is
applicable to all our opaque pigments.
To obtain lighter hues, the pigment can be used in the range 1% - 10% on the
weight of the resin.
With our translucent pigments, the pigments should be used in the range 0.5% -
3% on the weight of the resin, to obtain translucent coloring.
Mixing Guidelines
EzFloMix™ is engineered to mix and disperse quickly and easily in Polyester/Vinylester,
Epoxy or Polyurethane resins.
The pigment can be poured straight out of the jar into the resin.
Incorporation of the pigment into the resin is achieved by hand stirring with a
mixing rod/stick or by mechanized mixing.
Small batches of resin can be mixed by hand stirring. From a few grams of
resin to a couple of Kg of resin, hand stirring works just great.
Mechanized mixing is recommended for large batches. Large could be defined
as 50 Kg and above, all the way up to a metric tonne (MT). When coloring
in MT quantity, the time of mixing can be reduced by first adding all the
required quantity of pigment to a smaller quantity of resin (1:1 ratio), mixing
it until it is homogeneous, followed by adding the rest of the resin and mixing
it further.
Please note that pigment addition and premixing must be done prior to addition of the catalyst/curing
agent and/or fillers. After the pigment has been incorporated into the resin, the
catalyst/curing agent and/or fillers can be dosed as required in the manufacturing process. |
Gelcoat Guidelines
For gelcoats made from Polyester/Vinylester or Epoxy resin systems, it important
that the gelcoat is built up to 20 mils -25 mils (0.5 mm - 0.635 mm) thick.
Gelcoats built to this thickness, with EzFloMix™ pigment loading of 10% on the
gelcoat resin, will give a color that matches the pigment color.
A simple rule of thumb that we have found effective is to use:
200 grams of pigmented gelcoat
per square feet of surface.
Thickness of gelcoat should be measured using a mil gauge as a good
manufacturing practice.
Laminate Layers
EzFloMix™ pigment loading in composite products built with laminate layers can
have lower pigment loading (2% - 10%). However, if it is desired to have
laminate layers with a color matching the gelcoat layer, 10% of pigment loading
on the resin is required.
Industrial Technologies
There are numerous industrial technologies for producing composites.
EzFloMix™ should be used as per the same recommendations as those for Color Hues
and Mixing Guidelines on this page. Historically, our customers have used
the following proportions:
|
8% - 10% |
Gelcoats |
|
4% - 6% |
Laminates |
|
5% - 10% |
SMC and BMC |
|
0.5% - 3% |
Translucent Moldings |
|
4% - 10% |
Filled Castings |
|
2% - 10% |
Pultrusion |
|
5% - 10% |
Epoxy Flooring |
|
High Gloss
Gloss is a function of surface roughness.
To obtain the highest gloss in molded composite products use EzFloMix™ in the
resin and molds that are finished to a low surface roughness.
Patterns and
Molds should be finished with step wise grit papers - 80, 120, 180, 220, 320,
400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500.
Castings
Composite products made by casting Polyester/Vinylester, Epoxy or Polyurethane
resins should follow the same recommendations as those for Color Hues and Mixing
Guidelines on this page.
For Polyurethane castings it is desirable to premix the pigment in the
polyol/polyether component, followed by the degassing procedure prior to the
addition of the iscocyanate (MDI/TDI) component.
For Polyester/Vinylester solid surface and cultured marble castings, the
addition of the pigment to the resin, followed by mixing, prior to the addition
of the filler (ATH/CaCO3) is recommended. |