Subject: Re: [baidarka] Acrylic epoxy
From: Peter Chopelas (pac@premier1.net)
Date: Thu Mar 06 2003 - 21:15:10 EST
Dan Asks:
> I'm considering using acrylic epoxy over canvas. Has anyone tried this?
I am not familiar with "acrylic" type epoxy, but of the epoxies I know
(conventional cross-linked, thermal setting polymer) there are several draw
backs for putting them on any fabric surface: they tend to shrink very
slightly when they cure, they are very hard but brittle, and tend to crack,
especially when applied to a flexible substrate, or one that expands and
contracts with heat and moisture (like canvas or nylon fabric). Epoxy is
also usually very expensive, so for me that would automatically exclude it,
with all the other determents, I would not even consider it. It will likely
crack and chip off in fairly short order. In fact epoxy adhesives are NEVER
used for joining fabrics (not even on aircraft wings), stronger bonds are
made with more flexible adhesives.
The best fabric sealants are flexible, not hard and brittle, it is best to
stick with what works: one or two part polyurethane, liquid hypalon, oil
based paint, etc. All of these are much less expensive than epoxy paints.
You might consider, after you have the fabric sealed, to epoxy a wear strip
down the keel line: assuming the fabric sealant you use is compatible with
the epoxy, glue a 1 inch strip of epoxy soaked fabric down the keel line
after you rough up the surface along the keel you are bonding to. This
would give you a very abrasion resistant keel.
Peter
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