Last Updated: August 21, 2019
QUESTION: Looking for tips on epoxy work surfaces. Do you have any information on that?
ANSWER: When working with epoxy, neatness really counts. Since the pot life on epoxy starts the moment the two parts are mixed, plan your work so that you have everything you need when you start – like:
- really clean mixing equipment and any secondary mixing containers (stainless steel spatulas, polyethelyene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) mix containers that have been final rinsed with electronic grade isopropyl alcohol (IPA, <0.5% water))
- timers
- helpful fixturing – i.e. a test tube-like rack for holding syringes upright
- any dispensing equipment reservoirs, positioned to be filled directly
Something that can also be helpful is a polyethylene work surface. PE is white in color, chemically resistant and available in 1/8” or ¼” sheets, like plywood. It can be cut (using wood working tools) and laid down in any dedicated space to make a clean, and easily cleaned, work surface. Any uncured epoxy that lands on a PE surface can easily be wiped off (acetone and a Kim-Wipe make this very easy), and cured epoxy can be removed even more easily by gentle scraping – the cured epoxy will pop off of the PE surface.
Since PE is white, the gleaming surface may by its very nature discourage other activities that clutter and intrude on this area where neatness really counts. Any extra pieces of PE can also be used to create fixtures that helps make the mixing/filling job go more smoothly.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT & RESOURCES:
- Category Resource: FOC Epoxy Page
- Find More Information in this Blog: Helpful Epoxy Tips (and a Few Tricks)
Answered by AskFOC Technical Team January 12, 2017
Have a technical question for Fiber Optic Center?
Please email your question to AskFOC@focenter.com and we will respond ASAP.
In addition to replying, we will post your question and our answer here on focenter.com. Everyone remains anonymous when we post so feel comfortable asking. You can also search your question and others in our content search.
AskFOC@focenter.com