In order for epoxy systems to harden, the resin and the hardener must go into chemical reaction. Mixing is an important step in using epoxy. In order for the chemical reaction to take place smoothly, the resin and hardener must be homogeneously dispersed in the mixture. This situation depends on good mixing. In mixtures that are not made homogeneously, curing problems occur in local areas or in all areas.
Pay attention to the following items for a correct mixture;
1- Absolutely comply with the mixing ratios that belong to the type of resin you use. Otherwise, it will not matter how well you have made the mixture and you may still experience curing problems. “At What Mixture Ratio Should I Mix?” You can review our article titled.
2- Make sure that the container you will mix in and your mixing apparatus are clean and dry.
3- Place your mixing bowl on the precision scale and zero your scale by taking the container tare.
4- First, pour the required amount of calculated epoxy hardener into the tared container and reset your scale again by taring.
5- Pour the required amount of calculated resin over the tared hardener filled container. Do not forget to close the caps of the resin and hardener you use at this stage.
6- Begin to mix the measured resin and hardener with a suitable mixing tool (wooden stick, metal spoon, glass drumstick, stirrer mixer tip, etc.).
7- Mix the mixture at a speed of about 100 rpm for at least 2 minutes. As the amount of material you are mixing increases, you may need to increase your mixing time or mixing speed. As soon as you start the mixture, there will be a blur in the system first and the mixture will start to become transparent again as the mixture continues. After mixing until completely transparent, if you don’t see a vein pattern following your blend stick, the first step of the blend is complete.
8- Transfer the mixture, whose first stage has been completed, by scraping it into another clean container and mix again.
9- Before using the mixture you mixed for the second time, let it rest for a while considering the working time of the product and then you can complete your process by pouring it into the area where you will apply.
Attention please :
While setting your mixing and resting times, be sure to pay attention to the working time that belongs to the type of resin you use. Otherwise, the product may start to react in the container while your mixing process continues, and this may cause your product to dry before it can be used. For example, the total mixing, coloring and resting time of an epoxy with a working time of 20 minutes should not exceed 5 minutes. Increase your mixing speed, if necessary, by calculating this time factor. If you do not have time to rest, do not apply this step. For pigment addition in coloring applications, you can review our article titled “At Which Stage Should I Mix Epoxy Pigment?”