TOOLING MATERIALSProduct family
EPLAM hand-laminating systems, EPMOLD vacuum-infusion systems and epoxy casting tooling resins with fillers are kept in one clear family with their process differences visible.
Engineering view / Epoxy resins
A composite tool is not just a resin choice. Lamination and infusion systems control wet-out, flow, heat build-up, shrinkage, cure and the dimensional result after thermal cycling. The selection starts with the tool size, fibre architecture and process window.
01 / CUSTOMER PROBLEM
Large tools expose poor wet-out, short working time, excessive exotherm and uneven cure. Selecting the process route first helps prevent a resin that works in a small coupon from failing in a thick or long tool.
02 / SELECTION LOGIC
Choose EPLAM for the intended hand-lay-up behaviour and EPMOLD for the required infusion path. Confirm viscosity, pot life, flow length, fibre architecture, cure/post-cure temperature and dimensional tolerance from the matching TDS.
03 / PROCESS CHECKPOINTS
Plan mixing, degassing, wet-out, vacuum integrity, laminate thickness, exotherm, cure and post-cure. Record the actual shop temperature and cure history so the tool can be traced.
04 / RELEASE CHECK
The resin, reinforcement, gelcoat, backing structure and release agent must be considered together. A trial laminate on the intended surface is often more informative than a single headline Tg value.
Controlled TDS data
EPLAM is the hand-lay-up mould-resin family; EPMOLD is the vacuum-infusion and high-temperature tooling family. Values are taken from the matching TDS. Pot-life, gel time and operating time are kept in the terminology used by each document.
| Grade | Route | Tg | Cure schedule | Working / gel time | Test basis | Mix ratio | Mixed viscosity | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPLAM85 | Hand-lay-up | >75 °C | 25 °C 8 h + 80 °C 12 h | Pot-life 45–65 min | 125 g at 25 °C Laminate gel >70 min at 23 °C | 100:24 | 480–600 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPLAM86 | Hand-lay-up F / S / L / XL hardeners | 75 / 81 / 83 / 84 °C F / S / L / XL | — | F 15–25 · S 25–35 · L 60–90 · XL 90–120 min | 125 g at 25 °C Laminate gel 40 / 60 / 140 / 220 min at 23 °C | 100:25 | F/S/L/XL: 600–700 / 450–600 / 600–700 / 600–700 mPa·s | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPLAM120 | Hand-lay-up | 121 °C | 25 °C 8 h + 105 °C 36 h | Operating time 35–50 min | 118 g at 25 °C | 100:18 | 600–750 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPLAM145 | Hand-lay-up | >145 °C | Step cure to 140 °C | Gel time 75–95 min | 150 g at 25 °C | 100:24 | 800–1,000 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPLAM160 | Hand-lay-up | >150 °C | 25 °C 6 h + 60/80/120/160 °C steps | Operating time 140–160 min | 150 g at 25 °C | 100:28 | 800–1,500 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPLAM170 | Hand-lay-up | >170 °C | 60 °C 1 h + 100 °C 1 h + 170 °C 4 h | Operating time about 95 min | 100 g at 25 °C | 100:25 | About 590 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPLAM210 | Hand-lay-up | 208 °C | 120 °C post-cure 36 h | Operating time 200 min | 130 g at 25 °C | 100:30 | 1,600–2,300 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPMOLD140LS | Vacuum infusion | 135 °C 143 °C | 105 °C / 36 h 120 °C / 36 h | Gel time 100–140 min | 500 g at 25 °C | 100:20 | 250–300 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPMOLD170LV | Vacuum infusion | Ultimate 175 °C | 60 °C mid-cure, then 120 °C / 12 h | Gel time 200–250 min | 500 g in air at 25 °C | 100:26 | 250–300 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPMOLD220 | High-temperature tooling / infusion | 230 °C | 220 °C post-cure 6 h | Operating time 150–180 min | 500 g TDS does not state test temperature | 100:48 | 400–500 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
| EPMOLD220LV | High-temperature tooling / infusion | 220 °C | 60/100/150/200 °C stepped cure | Operating time 203 min | 500 g at 25 °C | 100:40 | 290 mPa·s at 25 °C | Open TDS ↗ |
Mix ratios are resin:hardener by weight. Time values depend on batch size, temperature and test method; the linked TDS is the authority for production use.
01 / PRODUCT FAMILY
Hand-laminating epoxy systems for glass-fibre and carbon-fibre skins, reinforcement and composite tooling routes. The EPLAM range includes EPLAM85, EPLAM86, EPLAM120, EPLAM145, EPLAM160, EPLAM170 and EPLAM210, with grade selection set by handling window and temperature target. Confirm current TDS coverage for any catalogue grade not listed in the product data above.
02 / PRODUCT FAMILY
The EPMOLD range covers vacuum-infusion tooling routes. The EPMOLD range includes EPMOLD130M, EPMOLD135, EPMOLD140LS, EPMOLD145, EPMOLD155, EPMOLD170LV, EPMOLD200, EPMOLD220 and EPMOLD220LV. Confirm current TDS coverage for any catalogue grade not listed in the product data above.
03 / PRODUCT FAMILY
Epoxy casting systems and fillers for near-net blanks, precision cast tooling and large forms. Resin, filler, cure, exotherm and machining must be read from the relevant TDS.
Specialist epoxy systems
SPECIALIST APPLICATION
An engineered epoxy matrix and hollow glass microspheres form deep-sea buoyancy blocks. Select the finished material against hydrostatic pressure, water uptake, creep and the required net buoyancy. Polyurea surface protection is specified separately as part of the completed buoyancy system.
SPECIALIST APPLICATION
Low-density thixotropic epoxy mastics for supporting and levelling containment insulation elements. The supplied TDS identifies EPBOND 510 for NO96-type construction and EPBOND 515 for Mark III-type construction. Confirm the required grade and project qualification before use.
SPECIALIST APPLICATION
An epoxy repair adhesive for filling resin-starved areas after wind blade manufacture. Select the application method and cure conditions with the existing substrate and blade adhesive. Other composite repairs require confirmation for the actual component and service duty.