Epoxy putty: features of choice

Putty mixtures have long been widely used in repair work. Putty is a powder or paste and is used to eliminate defects or level the surface, followed by applying a finishing finishing material to it. Depending on the type of filler, they are used for processing various substrates. One of the widespread finishing materials is epoxy putty is a reliable and durable compound that can be used on a wide variety of surfaces.

Epoxy putty is a repair compound based on epoxy resin. This material is usually sold with a hardener. They are mixed immediately before application.

The putty mixture is applied to the prepared surfaces with a spatula or other convenient tool for each specific case and is evenly distributed.

Epoxy putty compounds are used for minor repair work, as well as in large-scale construction for the following purposes:

• Waterproofing devices;
• Compounds of various materials - metal, ceramics, plastic, wood, concrete;
• Leveling of various substrates, including stone, concrete, wood;
• Restoration of surfaces and masking irregularities, butt joints, elimination of various damages - potholes, cracks, chips.

Epoxy putties can be applied to a variety of substrate materials:

• Stone and brick;
• Concrete and foam concrete;
• Glass and plexiglass;
• Metal;
• Plastic;
• Ceramics.

That's why putty is so widely used in various industries:

• Mechanical engineering;
• Aircraft manufacturing;
• Shipbuilding;
• Construction;
• Construction of bridges;
• Construction of metal structures;
• Construction of pipelines, hydraulic installations.

Epoxy putty helps to eliminate the mobility of this rather moody material. After all, when the temperature rises, wood tends to expand, and when it decreases, it shrinks. The same processes occur with it when the humidity changes. Unlike other repair materials, the putty based on epoxy resin, after drying, does not shrink and retains the property of elasticity, which is the most significant moment in working with wood. This type of repair material lends itself well to grinding and painting. The only thing that falls on her badly is the stain. This should be borne in mind if you plan to impregnate wooden surfaces with this composition. Epoxy fillers for wooden surfaces are used for processing wooden frames, doors, furniture, floors.

Epoxy compounds for leveling metal substrates are an indispensable material.

They have excellent adhesion properties and allow you to create a smooth surface after sanding. To achieve the best indicators of evenness and smoothness of metal surfaces, special putties are used, which in their composition contain sawdust of the same metal crushed into powder as the surface to be treated.Most often, such materials are used to seal dents, scratches and other damage to the car body. Epoxy putties are also used to protect vehicle components from corrosion.

For the processing of such materials, compositions are produced specifically for the treatment of stone surfaces. Coarse sand and cement are usually added to these to improve adhesion to the finish. After processing concrete surfaces with putty, it acquires the desired texture and is ready for further finishing.

Epoxy glue can be used to seal cracks in the concrete base. If the volume of work is quite large, then sand or cement is added to it as a filler. The result is actually an epoxy concrete putty. Potholes or cracks in concrete are filled with it, leveled and left to dry.

The possibility of applying epoxy putty compounds to plastic is due to their good adhesion properties and a high degree of elasticity. Because of this, epoxies are widely used in the repair of plastic pipes and the restoration of plastic car parts. Plastic putty perfectly fills all cracks, chips, dents and other irregularities. The disadvantage of this type of repair material is its increased toxicity, therefore, while working with it, the respiratory organs should be protected.

The technology for applying putty on plastic is no different from applying on other materials. First, it is necessary to assess the scope of work by eye. Then the plastic surfaces are sanded and degreased. Putty is applied with a rubber spatula, dried and sanded first with coarse sandpaper, and then with finer one.

Epoxy resin putty includes the following components:

• The main substance is resin... It is a brown liquid elastic substance that provides the main technical characteristics of the final product;
• Excipients... To give the putty composition a higher viscosity, metal powder, fiberglass, sand or cement are added to it;
• Hardener. Liquid added to the filler to quickly cure the repair coat. Thanks to its presence, the surface dries faster, which saves time during repair work. Phthalic and maleic anhydrides and carboxylic acids are used as hardeners.

This requires resin and appropriate fillers. To prepare wood putty, sawdust mixed with chalk or gypsum is taken. Metal filings, more often aluminum powder, are added to the putty composition for metal; for concrete - fiberglass (can be replaced with sand or cement). Compositions for plastic are made with fiberglass. All components are mixed. A hardener is added to the mixture. Moreover, its volume fraction should be no more than 3% of the total amount of the composition. If the putty is supposed to be applied in hot conditions (more than 25 degrees), then the content of the hardener can be halved. The resulting composition will begin to harden in about 60 minutes. It will harden completely after 6 hours.

Main characteristics of epoxy putty:

• Strength and wear resistance. These properties allow this repair material to reliably protect any bases from external influences. Epoxy putty prevents the development of corrosion processes, withstands exposure to various chemicals (salt solutions, detergents, gasoline, alkalis, mineral oil), prevents the appearance of mold and mildew.It is these properties that make it possible to use this material in various spheres of human activity;
• Low material shrinkage. Due to the fact that the epoxy putty has the property of elasticity and contains a very small volume of volatile compounds, the material practically does not change its original volume, which allows it to be applied with a layer of up to 10 mm and not worry that cracks and deformations will appear on the surface;

• Good adhesion. This property makes it possible to use this material for application on surfaces made of concrete, metal, plastic, ceramics, wood and to be used in structures operated with constant loads (floors, steps, window sills, car parts);
• No need to apply primer after using the putty. Putty products can be immediately coated with finishing compounds;
• Long service period;
• Compliance with grinding.

Today the market of building and finishing materials abounds in various brands of putty compounds. Most large companies manufacturing building materials, as a rule, have putties in their assortment, including epoxy ones. These include such well-known companies as Tikkurila (Colofill), Teknos (TeknopoxFill), Basf Building Systems (MasterBrace), Bostik (Eponal), Isomat, Novol (Novol Thermo).

Also involved in the production of putties are VitaKhimSibir, Atum Innovative Materials, Kotovskaya Kraski klk paint and varnish company, Gamma Industrial Paints, Rufa Paint Plant, 3Decor, NPO Krasko, Epital, Karbokhim- Astat "," Perm paint and varnish company "and many others.

The selection of an epoxy filler should begin with determining the type of surface to be treated. You can try to find putties designed specifically for a specific type of surface, for example, for metal, for concrete, for plastic. Typically, such an indication is present on the can with the finished product. But most of the compositions have a universal purpose and can be used in combination with different materials.

Domestic companies, as a rule, label their products in accordance with GOST. Different types of putty material have different compositions and differ somewhat in properties.

EP-0010 putty used for application on metal substrates, as well as on non-metallic coatings in order to level it. Moreover, such material can be used both indoors (including in humid ones, for example, in a bathroom) and outdoors. The product goes on sale in the form of a paste, which must be mixed with the hardener attached to it according to the instructions. Before applying the composition, the surface can be pre-primed, or you can do without this procedure. In this case, the same putty, only diluted to a more liquid state, can act as a priming material.

EP-0020 putty differs from the previous version by the presence in its composition of a filler having a finely dispersed structure, which ensures a reduced material consumption. In addition, this type of material cannot be applied in thick layers.

Most often putties EP-0010 and EP-0020 are still used for processing metal surfaces, although they are universal repair materials.

For concrete substrates, for example, a filler mixture can be used. "Elakor ED", putty is suitable for wood "Tikurilla Uvicol", Loba 2K DuoFill AT... Special putty compounds for plastic can often be found in car stores as a means for repairing plastic auto parts.

Sometimes, when choosing putty compositions, the consumer attaches some importance to color. Usually these materials are offered in clear, white, gray, cream or brown colors. If it is necessary to tint the composition (usually this is necessary when processing plastic), you can use special pigment agents.

You will learn more about epoxy putty in the following video.