Reason to be careful with Epoxy

[boiler7904]

Here's a good reason to keep your garage well ventilated while epoxy cures:

Lake Zurich Epoxy Story

Granted it's a little odd to run a generator after applying epoxy but it happened to this guy.

 

[bmwpower]

I wonder which product he used...

 

[Hammerdown]

If any of the products used are solvent based this can happen. The solvents outgas as the epoxy cures, releasing flammable vapors into the air. Typically most product lines/salesmen will caution you about this and recommend adequate ventilation and no exposed pilot lights or flames for the first 24 hours. That ***** he lost his house, I'm glad nobody was hurt. Allways be cautious when using any products that are solvent based.

 

[jtaylor]

I am concerned about this myself, because the temperatures are currently hovering around the freezing mark where I live, and I'll therefore need to keep my gas heater running while the epoxy cures.

At first I thought this simply wasn't going to be possible, but it turns out the "Epoxy-Coat" product can be applied under these conditions, according to the company representative I spoke with.

However, I've dealt with too many misinformed salespeople in my life to take this claim at face value. Does anyone here have any experience with Epoxy-Clear, or any information that would confirm or refute the sales rep's claim?

 

[Hammerdown]

If the epoxy is a water based system, it should be OK. Look at the MSDS (material data safety sheets) to see what chemicals are used for the liquid medium. They would be listed along with a flammability caution. You are looking for things like Xylene or toulene. Bring the temps up with the heater and then shut it down if ypu have any concerns

 

[WolverineCoatings]

If any of the products used are solvent based this can happen. The solvents outgas as the epoxy cures, releasing flammable vapors into the air.

Just a 'heads up'... Waterbased products DO contain flammable solvents... they simply replace a portion of the flammable solvents with water...

If the epoxy is a water based system, it should be OK. Look at the MSDS (material data safety sheets) to see what chemicals are used for the liquid medium. They would be listed along with a flammability caution. You are looking for things like Xylene or toulene. Bring the temps up with the heater and then shut it down if ypu have any concerns

This is not exactly true! Products are tested for flammablility in what is called a 'Closed Cup' or 'Open Cup' test. The liquid is put in a cup (that is either closed... or open top) and then it is heated in the presence of a spark. The temperature at which the product ignites is recorded as the 'flashpoint'. Most waterbased products pass this test because of the humidity that is created when the water is heated. As we all know, it doesn't take that much heat to create a humid environment. On a garage floor, the flammable vapors are HEAVIER than air so they travel along the floor. A pilot light is sufficient to have a 'bad day'. Because of the way the tests are run for an MSDS, it does not take into considerate the separation of the HEAVY vapors that seperate from the water vapor that is 'air loving'. So, while you may not be able to light waterbased paint on fire... you can once the water is removed and the flammable solvents seperate from the water...

At first I thought this simply wasn't going to be possible, but it turns out the "Epoxy-Coat" product can be applied under these conditions, according to the company representative I spoke with.

However, I've dealt with too many misinformed salespeople in my life to take this claim at face value. Does anyone here have any experience with Epoxy-Clear, or any information that would confirm or refute the sales rep's claim?

The Epoxy-coat product should be fine as long as the temperature does not go below 40f... The only problem I would be concerned with would be what is called B-Staging. When the temperature drops below 40f some products can stop curing. The problem is that when the reaction stops... it stops forever. Many cycloaliphatics are prone to this phenomenon. I would ask the saleman if he is willing to put it in writing that this product will not B-stage and that is capable of curing at the temperatures you are going to have!

 

[snorvet]

I mentioned this thread to the wife and now I have to leave the garage door and windows open and fan running 24 hours a day through the installation of my H&C sealer.