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SECTION TWO: Fillers Thickeners Additives

How-To using thickened epoxy on a boat repair (special trick of using plastic for

easier application and much less sanding!) - Click Here

Fumed Silica Thickener:

We Proudly sell only hydrophobic (will not dissolve in water - some fumed silicas do) fumed silica - Click Here to learn more about fumed silica than you really care to know!

Used to gel and thicken epoxies. Looks like fake snow. Extremely light (1 pound equals about 10 quarts) Equal amounts of epoxy and silica produces a mixture similar to thin cake batter. Two parts silica to 1 part epoxy yields an icing like mixture. Increasing the mixture to about 2.5 to 1 results in a fudge like putty. Some fumed silicas are water soluble. Our product is NOT water soluble.

NOTE - THIS PRODUCT IS VERY FINE AND PUTS PARTICLES INTO THE AIR WHEN 'SCOOPING' OR TRANFERRING- USE PROPER PROTECTION TO KEEP OUT OF FACE AND OFF CLOTHING. DON'T ORDER IF YOU HAVE DUST/BREATHING CONCERNS.

1 quart - $4.50 (equals 60 grams or 2.11 ounces or about 1/8 pound)

The 2009 West Marine Catalog (page 225) lists 1.7 oz of fumed silica (about 0.8 quarts) for $10.47. It also lists 5.5 oz units (about 2.6 quarts) for $22.99.

Actual microscope photo of our fumed silica. Notice the amorphous lumps.

Recently we've had lots of 1 quart purchases of our hydrophobic (water repelling) fumed silica. We thought this odd as the shipping on one quart is about as much as the product. Turns out that fly-fisherman have been using it (successfully, we assume) to 'dip' their flies into so that they 'act' more like real insects on the surface of the water! A quart apparently is a lifetime supply. We're probably the only '1 quart source' anywhere. ----

"Paul, This is my 2nd order with your company... When a dry fly becomes waterlogged, I squeeze it between layers of an absorbent cloth, then apply the fumed silica with the brush working it into all parts of the fly. It then floats like new, if not better."

And another fly fisherman emailed me: "Well, I'll tell you, the 'right stuff' is magic for flies (and the wrong stuff, like cab-o-si M5 is a disaster!). It can dry out a soggy dry fly and float it better than a fresh one from your flybox. It's expecially useful for flies made from feathers or fur that can't be treated with our regular paste type flotants like silicones. And on subsurface flies, it adds a shine and a bubble layer that mimics the naturals as they are about to emerge. People say their treated flies are 2 to 3 times more effective.
But, you can't trust a flyfisherman any more than *any* fisherman, so you need to take that with a large grain of salt."

Scott (9/7/09) "I catch more fish with your product than anything else I've ever tried! Thanks!"

--- I wish I had known this before. My brother was a serious fly fisherman and president of his PA based fly fishing club. When he died (years ago) his ashes were scattered in this favorite fly fishing stream. He could have had free fumed silica for life!

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

EZ Thick:

An alternative to the every popular Fumed Silica, EZ thick is a cellulose based powder that quickly and easily blends into the epoxy (unlike fumed silica). A 1 gallon unit will thicken about 3 quarts of our No Blush epoxy into something approaching mashed potatoes (in texture and color).

1 quart - $4.00 (about 7.9 oz)

Actual microscope photo of our EZ Thick. Notice the interlocking arms.

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

Microballoons/Microspheres:

MICROSPHERES -- Used to bulk up or thicken epoxies and permit easier sanding after the epoxy cures. Sags more than Fumed Silica. DON'T BUY MICROSPHERES IF YOUR SOURCE DOESN'T TELL YOU THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF THEIR PRODUCT (it's critical, like the octane rating of your gasoline)! Our 0.6 sg spheres are 15% lighter than most other generally available ceramic microspheres!

NOW Available - EXTRA LITE microspheres --- These microspheres are half again as light as the microspheres listed above (0.28 specific gravity, 70-75 micron dia.) The extra thin 'shell' results in a white microsphere instead of a gray microsphere color of thicker microspheres. Lighter means thicker with less sagging and easier sanding. These are the premium, super light microspheres available only from Progressive Epoxy Polymers!

1 quart - 0.6 specific gravity, 70-75 micron dia. - $4.00 (about 11.2 oz)

1 quart - 0.28 microspheres - $5.00 (about 5.1 oz)

NOTE - THIS PRODUCT (ESPECIALLY THE 0.28 SIZE) IS VERY FINE AND PUTS PARTICLES INTO THE AIR WHEN 'SCOOPING' OR TRANFERRING- USE PROPER PROTECTION TO KEEP OUT OF FACE AND OFF CLOTHING. DON'T ORDER IF YOU HAVE DUST/BREATHING CONCERNS. NOTE: NOT AS BAD AS THE FUMED SILICA BUT STILL 'MESSY'

Actual microscope photo of our microspheres - "hollow ball bearings."

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

Fiber Strengthener:

POLY MICRO FIBER PULP - 1-2 mm non-wicking polyethylene fibers, used for internal strengthening of epoxy and epoxy mixtures. Can be mixed with other thickeners or fillers.

1 quart - $4.00 (about 2.9 oz)

Actual microscope photo of our Fiber Pulp. Notice the tangled strands.

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

8070 Wood Flour:

A favorite thickener and filler with boat builders, smells good too! One Gallon will thicken about 3 quarts of our Basic No-Blush epoxy into something approaching peanut butter, with a color just a bit lighter than peanut butter too. 80 mesh pine and maple blend.

1 quart - $4.00 (about 9.6 oz)

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

Rock Flour:

For a 'rock hard' filler, such as a keel void filler, not much is harder than rock 'dust' - it really is ground up stone!

1 quart - $4.00 (about 3.3 pounds)

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

Copper Powder: flake filler & pigment

NOTE - THIS PRODUCT IS VERY FINE AND PUTS PARTICLES INTO THE AIR WHEN 'SCOOPING' OR TRANFERRING- USE PROPER PROTECTION TO KEEP OUT OF FACE AND OFF CLOTHING. DON'T ORDER IF YOU HAVE DUST/BREATHING CONCERNS.

Makes a nice copper pigment. Some people add copper to epoxy. Size: 41 micro flakes - powder. Add 3 - 6 pounds per gallon of our Low V epoxy (Section One). Use less in thicker epoxies. The copper has some sort of coating to keep it from corroding into a big tarnished lump. The coating makes the copper non conductive. Customers say a mild acid removes the coating. For boaters, sand the finished surface to expose the copper (from the epoxy) and to remove the coating. This product has its own web page - CLICK HERE

Web site of someone using this copper with epoxy on a boat bottom (2/03)- CLICK HERE

A third-party reseach article on and about copper boat bottoms. Very informative and interesting, thanks to one of our customers for passing along the link - http://www.copper.org/innovations/2003/Nov2003/Cu_hull_sheathing_gg.htm

SOMEONE SUGGESTED TO ME ADDING THE COPPER POWDER TO REGULAR MARINE BOTTOM PAINT. AN INTERESTING IDEA!

1 pound - $18

Actual microscope photo of our copper powder. Notice the flat platelets.

Low V Epoxy and copper to make a

copper roof on this Birdhouse!

--- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers)----

SPECIAL OFFERS:

EPOXY/COPPER ------- Save $ ---- 5 pounds of copper and 1.5 gallons of our Low V Epoxy. Add 4 - 5 pounds of copper to the epoxy for an epoxy paint. Also includes 1 quart of fumed silica to optionally add to the epoxy and copper to reduce epoxy and/or copper from possible sagging on vertical surfaces.

Note: the Low V epoxy is a normal, rather brittle, marine type epoxy (see section 1). If our hull tends to flex, this epoxy (and most epoxies!) may crack, disbond, or even 'pop off'. Our TA 661 is an additive that will add flex to your epoxy (will it add enough flex? Who can tell? That's your call!) Find TA 661 in section 8_misc of our marine catalog.

$153

CLICK HERE TO GOTO OUR USER NOTES SECTION: FEEDBACK FROM FOLKS WHO HAVE USED THIS AND OUR OTHER EPOXIES.

Phil Napoli has coated the bottom of his 26 ft Bayliner Powerboat with our copper powder and Low V epoxy. He developed the following 'blend' which he found to be ideal for applying by paint pad.

Individual batch sizes of 24 oz of epoxy, 5/8 pound of copper, and 3 oz of xylene solvent.

He thinks it took about 1 gal of the mix to paint his bottom - about as much as he uses with regular bottom paint. He also said that without the solvent the blend was thick like old fashion bottom paint, with the solvent added it was more like regular paint.

Application was by paint pad (he said brushing left marks). Because he thinned the epoxy down, total mil thickness was low. He might have considered a coat of our CM 15 epoxy primer or just the Low V without the copper as an initial coat if we wanted more mil thickness on his hull.

Phil can be reached at: cpnapoli@tritel.net and is willing to share his experiences.

Graphite Powder:

Add 5+ ounces of graphite per quart of epoxy (15% by volume - other sources suggest 10% which is about 6 tablespoons per quart of epoxy) for a slicker, less frictional surface with improved wear resistance and durability. Improves temperature conductivity, electrical conductivity and reduces friction. Sometimes used on boat bottoms that get pulled up on beaches/rocks. Use on rudders and centerboards, and bottoms of dry sailed racing boats. Also sometimes used in seams on teak decks for traditional 'black seam' look. When mixed with epoxy turns the epoxy a very dark, somewhat shiny gray/black. Leaves 'pencil' dust when sanded. Priced cheaper than other suppliers.

1 pound unit - $18 (about 1 quart volume)

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

Teflon Powder:

Add 5+ ounces of Teflon per quart of epoxy (15% by volume) for a slicker, less frictional surface. Epoxy actually get slicker as it weathers or when sanded. Not as messy as graphite above. White powder.

half pound unit - $30 (about 1 pint volume)

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

MIO (Micaceous Iron Oxide) Powder:

Used as an additive / pigment in epoxies and other coatings for anti corrosion on steel surfaces and improved barrier resistance. Used on bridges, boats, etc. Use 3.5 to 4 or more pounds per gallon of coating.

This product has its own web site (CLICK HERE)

1 quart (approx. 4 pounds) - $18

---- ORDER NOW via link to online storefront (section 5 - thickeners/fillers) ----

How-To using thickened epoxy on a boat repair - Click Here

* Ask Professor E. Poxy... (CLICK)

* Epoxy 101 - instant epoxy knowledge! (CLICK)

* Close-out or discontinued products, special prices (CLICK)

* Pricing/quality explained - click here

CATALOG LINKS

COMPANY WIDE INDEX PAGE: www.epoxyproducts.com/map.html

MARINE HOME PAGE: www.epoxyproducts.com/marine.html

MARINE CATALOG MAIN PAGE: www.epoxyproducts.com/mproducts.html

INTERNATIONAL CATALOG: www.epoxyproducts.com/international.html

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SECTION ONE: marine - clear epoxies

SECTION TWO (this page): fillers thickeners additives

SECTION THREE: thickened epoxies, epoxy putties

SECTION FOUR: epoxy paints

SECTION FIVE: urethanes and non-epoxy coatings

SECTION SIX: non-skid deck coatings

SECTION SEVEN: marine repair products

SECTION EIGHT: misc. marine products

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