Epoxy viscocity question

[turtlemonkey]

I am looking at buying some floor epoxy to install in my living room / kitchen area in home and am doing some comparisons.

Some of the sellers or manufacturers seem to have TDS sheets with some incorrect data. I already found one major supplier with an obvious error with a urethane with a thicker cPs visocity rating than their epoxy.

Now I'm looking at another company product called MFC (Master Protective Coatings). I think its a Canadian manufacturer. MFC-100 two part epoxy. Here is what I don't understand:

Viscosity:

Resin
(A): 1200 – 1400 cps

Hardener
(B): 200 – 300 cps

Mixed: 500 – 600 cps

Does anyone see a problem there? The ratio of resin to hardner is 2:1. So basically have two parts of resin at roughly 1200 cps thickness and one part hardner at 200 cps. This little bit of thinner hardner they have dropping the thickness down to 500 cps. Does anyone know how the viscocity is calculated for something like this? There must be some type of formula.

The reason I'm asking is I want to know ahead of time how thin the product is versus other products so I know what I'm dealing with.

 

[Shea]

I am looking at buying some floor epoxy to install in my living room / kitchen area in home and am doing some comparisons.

Some of the sellers or manufacturers seem to have TDS sheets with some incorrect data. I already found one major supplier with an obvious error with a urethane with a thicker cPs visocity rating than their epoxy.

Now I'm looking at another company product called MFC (Master Protective Coatings). I think its a Canadian manufacturer. MFC-100 two part epoxy. Here is what I don't understand:

Viscosity:

Resin
(A): 1200 – 1400 cps

Hardener
(B): 200 – 300 cps

Mixed: 500 – 600 cps

Does anyone see a problem there? The ratio of resin to hardner is 2:1. So basically have two parts of resin at roughly 1200 cps thickness and one part hardner at 200 cps. This little bit of thinner hardner they have dropping the thickness down to 500 cps. Does anyone know how the viscocity is calculated for something like this? There must be some type of formula.

The reason I'm asking is I want to know ahead of time how thin the product is versus other products so I know what I'm dealing with.

I believe you may be confusing viscosity with actual, applied coating thickness? Viscosity or cPs plays more of a role when spraying certain coatings. What is it you are trying to determine exactly using cPs as a measurement?

 

[turtlemonkey]

Thickness is typically labeled as mils when referring to epoxy. The text "viscocity" was taken directly from the TDS sheet. Other epoxy manufacturers use this label as well.

 

[Shea]

Thickness is typically labeled as mils when referring to epoxy. The text "viscocity" was taken directly from the TDS sheet. Other epoxy manufacturers use this label as well.

I still don't understand your reason for comparing products via viscosity. You state; "I want to know ahead of time how thin the product is versus other products so I know what I'm dealing with".

Are you looking for an easier application? Or are you trying to determine something else? I'm only trying to clarify the question to see how I may be able to help. Comparing viscosities is typically very low on the list of items to compare when determining the performance of one coating over another.

To your original question about the resin to hardener cPs ratios, I do not believe there is a standard equation to determine cPs using mixing ratios. Hardeners can have solvents and/or other diluting agents added which will have a greater effect of lowering the cPs ratings of mixed epoxy.

 

[turtlemonkey]

I supposed buying products without being informed and educated may be typical for many but I am not. Ignorantly buying product and hoping for the best is not something I'm interested in doing especially something long term like flooring.

I would like to know the various aspects of the different products so I can make an informed decision. The viscocity of the product determines how easy it will to spread around. Molasses like consistency will be different than a watery or engine oil consistency.

The TDS on various paint and chemical products also show compression strength, adhesion, VOCs and various other things. Its good to be informed.

 

[Skiff Builder]

I am looking at buying some floor epoxy to install in my living room / kitchen area in home and am doing some comparisons.

Some of the sellers or manufacturers seem to have TDS sheets with some incorrect data. I already found one major supplier with an obvious error with a urethane with a thicker cPs visocity rating than their epoxy.

Now I'm looking at another company product called MFC (Master Protective Coatings). I think its a Canadian manufacturer. MFC-100 two part epoxy. Here is what I don't understand:

Viscosity:

Resin
(A): 1200 – 1400 cps

Hardener
(B): 200 – 300 cps

Mixed: 500 – 600 cps

Does anyone see a problem there? The ratio of resin to hardner is 2:1. So basically have two parts of resin at roughly 1200 cps thickness and one part hardner at 200 cps. This little bit of thinner hardner they have dropping the thickness down to 500 cps. Does anyone know how the viscocity is calculated for something like this? There must be some type of formula.

The reason I'm asking is I want to know ahead of time how thin the product is versus other products so I know what I'm dealing with

Mixed viscosity is not calculated. It is measured once mixed at a certain temp. One of the most widely used instruments for viscosity tests is the Brookfield viscometer which can determine the viscosity as a function of shear rate, time, and temperature.

Mixing two parts starts a reaction- properties change and keep changing until full cure. There is not a linear/proportional correlation going on in the mix cps. I use a 600cps (mixed) epoxy for laminating glass cloth on boat builds. The part A resin definitely gets thinner when mixed with only half the amount of part B hardener.

You should call the brands tech dept to answer your questions. Most marine epoxy formulators have small sample kits available- maybe the floor guys do too?

 

[Shea]

I supposed buying products without being informed and educated may be typical for many but I am not. Ignorantly buying product and hoping for the best is not something I'm interested in doing especially something long term like flooring.

I would like to know the various aspects of the different products so I can make an informed decision. The viscocity of the product determines how easy it will to spread around. Molasses like consistency will be different than a watery or engine oil consistency.

The TDS on various paint and chemical products also show compression strength, adhesion, VOCs and various other things. Its good to be informed.

Yes, you are correct! This is a message we constantly deliver to our readers. The article below is an example of how to use data sheets for coating comparisons.

How to Read Data Sheets for Garage Floor Epoxy & Coatings

When choosing a garage floor coating or sealer, one of the first things you should do is review the Technical Data Sheets. Otherwise known as the TDS, these sheets can provide important information to you, the consumer, about the composition, characteristics, and performance of the coating or...

allgaragefloors.com

However, comparing viscosities does not necessarily indicate how hard or easy a product is to work with.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Molasses and water? Percent Solids is what you need to look at.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Just curious why viscosity is that important, as long as you get a quality product that is easy to apply? We have been in business since 1998 and not once has anyone had an issue with the viscosity of any of our products.