Introduction

Epoxy Research Resin RSL-4515/EPIKOTE Curing Agent 3300 or Epoxy Research Curing Agent RSC-4577 is based on a toughened epoxy cured with very low viscosity cycloaliphatic amines. The systems low viscosity and high toughness make it favorable for good fiber wet-out for filament wildings for all composite pressure vessels (including Type IV vessels).  It will allow the manufacture of an all carbon tank without increase in cost (via reduction in wall thickness).

Suggested Uses

• Composite Structures
• Pressure Vessels

Features

• Low Viscosity
• Good Elongation
• High Toughness

Typical Properties

Table 1 / Typical Component Properties

Method

Units

Epoxy Research Resin RSL-4515

Epoxide Equivalent Weight

ASTM D1652

g/eq

                            177

Viscosity @ 25°C (77°F)

ASTM D1545

cP or mPa∙s

5,800

Density @ 25°C (77°F)

ASTM D1475

g/cc

1.18

Method

Units

EPIKURE Curing Agent 3300

Amine Value

ASTM D 2896

Mg KOH/g

630-670

Amine Hydrogen Equivalent Weight

calculated

g/H eq

43

Viscosity @ 25°C (77°F)

ASTM D1545

cP or mPa∙s

12-19

Color

ASTM D1544

Gardner

250 max.

Density @ 25°C

ASTM D1475

g/cc

0.92

Method

Units

Epoxy Research Curing Agent

RSC-4577

Amine Value

ASTM D 2896

Mg KOH/g

400-600

Amine Hydrogen Equivalent Weight

calculated

g/H eq

52

Viscosity @ 25°C (77°F)

ASTM D1545

cP or mPa∙s

10-50

Density @ 25°C

ASTM D1475

g/cc

0.93-0.98

Mix Ratio

Material

1

2

Epoxy Research Resin RSL-4515, pbw¹

100

100

EPIKURE Curing Agent 3300, pbw

Epoxy Research Curing Agent RSC-4577, pbw

24

29

Mixing Instructions

The stated mixing ratio should be followed carefully. Adding more or less hardener than desired will result in an incomplete cure with limited performance that cannot be corrected. Resin and curing agent must be mixed carefully. Mix until no clouding is visible in the mixing container.  Special attention must be paid to the walls and bottom of the mixing container when mixing by hand.

Typical System Properties

Table 2 / Properties of Resin System

Units

1

2

Viscosity at 25°C (77°F)

cP or mPa∙s

1115

573

Pot Life¹ (time to double initial viscosity @ 25°C)

minutes

58

90

Working time² at 25°C (77°F)

hrs

115

256

Gel time³ at 30°C (77°F), 100g

minutes

109

210

Typical Cured State
Properties

Table 3 / Typical cured properties of neat resin system           

Epoxy Research Resin RSL-4515/EPIKURE™ Curing Agent 3300

Method

Units

Cure Schedule

Step 1 followed by

hrs/°C (°F)

1/66  (151)

1.5/82 (180)

Step 2

hrs/°C (°F)

4/96 (205)

1.5/150 (302)

Tg by

DSC (20°C/min)

ASTM D-3418

°C (°F)

109 (228)

134 (273)

DMA - E’ onset

ASTM D-4065

°C (°F)

112 (234)

135 (275)

DMA – tan delta peak

°C (°F)

121 (250)

143 (289)

Tensile

Strength at Yield

ASTM D-638

ksi

12.6

12.5

Strength at Break

ksi

11.4

11.8

Elongation at Yield

%

5

6

Elongation at Break

%

7

9

Modulus

ksi

472

456

Fracture Toughness, K_Q

ASTM E-399

psi-in^1/2

1596

1070

Typical Cured State
Properties

Table 4 / Typical cured properties of neat resin system           

Epoxy Research Resin RSL-4515/Epoxy Research Curing Agent RSC-4577

Method

Units

Cure Schedule

Step 1 followed by

hrs/°C (°F)

1/66 (151)

1.5/82 (180)

Step 2

hrs/°C (°F)

4/96(205)

1.5/150 (302)

Tg by

DSC (20°C/min)

ASTM D-3418

°C (°F)

95 (203)

101 (214)

DMA - E’ onset

ASTM D-4065

°C (°F)

96 (205)

98 (208)

DMA – tan delta peak

°C (°F)

104 (219)

109 (228)

Tensile

Strength at Yield

ASTM D-638

ksi

10.7

11.3

Strength at Break

ksi

9.3

9.1

Elongation at Yield

%

5

5

Elongation at Break

%

10

11

Modulus

ksi

456

452

Fracture Toughness, K_Q

ASTM E-399

psi-in^1/2

1217

1739