Ampreg 26 EPOXY LAMINATING SYSTEM ¬ Optimum mechanical properties ¬ High Tg’s from elevated temperature cures INTRODUCTION Ampreg 26 is Gurit’s premium epoxy laminating system, and is particularly suitable for the manufacture of large, high performance composite structures. The product’s high laminate mechanical properties and high Tg’s achievable from modest postcures, make it well suited for heavily loaded applications, particularly those where a little extra thermal performance is required. Ampreg 26 is optimised for use in hand-lay up and vacuum bagging processes, but can also be used in other processes such as RTM, vacuum infusion, pultrusion and filament winding. Ampreg 26 is recognised worldwide as the premium laminating system for the manufacture of racing sailboats, and high performance, one-off cruising boats. It has been selected by the RNLI in the UK for the wet lay-up components of their high-speed coastal rescue vessels, and it is in use on the VSV rapid troop insertion craft, in service with the UK’s SBS and US Marine Corps. Ampreg 26 may also be used with the separate Ampreg Ultra Slow hardener to provide flow times under vacuum of up to 9 hours at 20°C.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE WORKSHOP CONDITIONS Ampreg 26 is optimised for use between 18 - 25°C. At lower temperatures the product thickens and may become unworkable. At higher temperatures working times will be significantly reduced (see corresponding table in this datasheet). Maximum relative humidity for use is 70%. MIXING AND HANDLING Ampreg 26 resin is combined with Ampreg 26 slow hardener, or fast hardener, or any pre-mixed combination of the two hardeners, in the following ratio: Ampreg 26 resin : Ampreg 26 hardener 100 : 33 (by weight) It is important that the resin and hardener components...

BONDING TECHNIQUES & PEEL PLY CURE SCHEDULE Where it is necessary for a bonding operation to be carried out following the cure of the Ampreg 26 laminate, a suitable Peel Ply can be applied to the surface to be bonded during the lay-up process. After curing and just prior to bonding, the Peel Ply is stripped off leaving a clean, dust and grease free surface, with an already ‘textured’ surface which can reduce the labour of keying the surface by sanding. Ambient Temperature Cure - Ampreg 26 has been developed to return good mechanical properties after cure at ambient temperatures, the minimum recommended...

PROPERTIES (CONT’D) Working Properties vs. Temperature Resin / Fast Hardener Resin / Slow Hardener Resin / Ultra Slow Hardener †Gel Time - 150g Mix in water (hrs:mins) †Latest Vacuum Flow Time (hrs:mins) †Earliest Vacuum Off Time (hrs:mins) Demould Time (hrs:mins) Initial Mixed Viscosity (cP) Cured System Properties Room Temperature Cure (28 days @ 21°C) Post Cured (24 hrs @ 21°C + 16 hours @ 50°C) Post Cured (24 hrs @ 21°C + 5 hours @ 80°C) Ultra Slow* Ultra Slow Ultra Slow Mositure Absorption (%) Linear Shrinkage (%) Barcol Hardness Cast Tensile Strength (MPa) Cast Tensile Modulus (GPa) Cast...

PROPERTIES (CONT’D) Initial Mixed Viscosity Latest Time for Flow Under Vacuum † Ultra Slow Ultra Slow Earliest Vacuum Off Time † Theoretical Demould Time for Thin Laminates † 1000 Ultra Slow Ultra Slow Tensile Properties of Castings 90 28 days @ 21¡C Tensile Strength NOTES: For an explanation of test methods used see ‘Formulated Products Technical Characteristics’. All figures quoted are indicative of the properties of the product concerned. Some batch to batch variation may occur. †All times are measured from when resin and hardener are first mixed together *Ambient temperature cure alone is...

PROPERTIES (CONT’D) Compressive Strength of RE300 Glass Laminate Interlaminar Shear Strength of RE300 Glass Laminate 70 60 24 hrs. @ 21¡C +16 hrs. @ 50¡C ILSS After Water Exposure Glass Transition Temperature 120 28 days @ 21¡C 24 hrs. @ 21¡C +5 hrs. @ 80¡C +16 hrs. @ 50¡C Peak Tan¶ Ultimate Peak Tan¶ NOTES: For an explanation of test methods used see ‘Formulated Products Technical Characteristics’. All figures quoted are indicative of the properties of the product concerned. Some batch to batch variation may occur. †All times are measured from when resin and hardener are first mixed together...

HEALTH AND SAFETY The following points must be considered: 1. Skin contact must be avoided by wearing protective gloves. Gurit recommends the use of disposable nitrile gloves for most applications. The use of barrier creams is not recommended, but to preserve skin condition a moisturising cream should be used after washing. APPLICABLE RISK & SAFETY PHRASES Please refer to product SDS for up to date information specific to this product. 2. Overalls or other protective clothing should be worn when mixing, laminating or sanding. Contaminated work clothes should be thoroughly cleaned before re-use....

TRANSPORT & STORAGE Ampreg 26 resin and hardener should be kept in securely closed containers during transport and storage. Any accidental spillage should be soaked up with sand, sawdust, cotton waste or any other absorbent material. The area should then be washed clean (see appropriate Safety Data Sheet). Adequate long term storage conditions for both materials will result in shelf lives of two years for both the resin and the hardeners. Storage should be in a warm dry place out of direct sunlight and protected from frost. The temperature should be between 15°C and 30°C. Containers should be...