Strongest Epoxy known to mankind?

[imagineer]

I figure this is as good a place as any to post this...Can someone recommend a product for a very strong epoxy glue?

I recently picked up a used Steel Horse 2 piece hard top for a Jeep Wrangler. Each roof segment has its own set of 4 clamps to hold it to the Jeep chassis/roll cage or tub. The front and rear sections also pin together at the B pillar, simply for alignment purposes.

The fiberglass sockets that hold the alignment pins are all mangled and loose. The overall structure around the sockets is intact and in good shape. I'm thinking if I can fill the worn out sections with a good epoxy, and embed a machined alignment pin set, I can salvage the function of these pins.

 

[Ainsley]

I'd guess something from West Systems. They have many different fillers and hardeners.

 

[Cyberbear]

I've had good luck with the people at 3M and their customer service sent me a free tube of glue that did the entire job I needed it for. Way cool!!

 

[pancho400cid]

Hysol EA9430 is awesome. It's an industrial product. You would probably have to find a commercial dealer to buy it.

http://www.na.henkel-adhesives.com/industrial/product-search-1554.htm?nodeid=8802700296193

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

You can look into the Plexus line of epoxies. Strong as anything with different types of formulas for different applications.

 

[imagineer]

Thanks for the quick answers. I think I'll go with West Systems as the spots getting repaired will be subjected to the elements 100% of the time.

 

[rlitman]

West System would be the best answer.
But your request for the "strongest" is a big mistake. Your fiberglass is likely made from polyester. West System epoxy is both stronger than the polyester, and tougher. It also bonds well to polyester, and is the best stuff I have seen for polyester based fiberglass repairs.

If you find an epoxy that is harder than the polyester (such as a metal filled product), you may end up doing more damage when it causes stress cracking around it.

 

[Bondo]

as the spots getting repaired will be subjected to the elements 100% of the time.

Ayuh,.... Ya better paint it after,...

Epoxy sun rots from uv light,....

 

[theoldwizard1]

The problem with most adhesives is surface prep. Either there is some contaminate of the surface and/or the surface does not have enough "tooth" to bond to the surface. This why many pre-treatments include some type of etchant.

 

[Kevin54]

I second calling 3M and discussing what you have and see what they recommend. Quite a few of our epoxy products came from them and we had to withstand the forces of fighter jets, and the Boeing big birds to hold our products together. Our business was aircraft lighting interior and exterior. Some had to withstand heat, some the weather, a lot of vibration, and others had to withstand the mph the aircraft flew at to hold lenses in place. Anytime we had a problem, or question, we just made a call to a sales rep.

 

[EdT]

IMHO the West system products that I am familiar with are made for building boats usually in conjunction with glass fiber and/or wood. So, while they are excellent for the intended purpose, they may not be ideal for your application. Also, they come in largish cans with way more than you need for the task. I think what you are looking for is a "structural" epoxy that is intended for your type of application. As suggested above, you can contact 3-M who makes a lot of that kind of stuff. I have had good luck with their structural epoxy that is readily available from Mc Master and other industrial suppliers. It is very similar to JB weld, but I cannot speak to the relative performance numbers of either product. I have used J B weld for repair on some damaged epoxy press tooling and it has held up well.

 

[Jarwop]

http://www.aircraft-specialties.com/conley-weld-2-part-epoxy/

I use this.

 

[matt_i]

The strongest epoxy known to man is solid metal. In other words, make up the missing part from a fabrication, weldment, etc. Epoxy is excellent but has limitations.

 

[P51Boilermaker]

If it's fiberglass can you just patch it with more fiberglass? Or another repair may work instead of epoxy. Like other's have stated epoxy will rot/fall apart when exposed to the elements. Have any pictures??

 

[eric_koski]

I have used this to repair cracked Wrangler hard tops.

http://www.marinetex.com/

 

[PCustoms]

Post a pic.

3m DP420 or 460, add an NS to the number if you want the thickened, non sag version

 

[ALinCarolina]

Any of the major brands should be fine. My favorite is MAS but have used plenty of West Systems before. I thought the West had more amine blush after curing. Whatever you use may have some blush though so wash it after it cures as the blush is like wax and will interfere with paint sticking.
Be sure to use a long curing type, definitely not 5 minute, etc.
Also, much of the strength of epoxy systems is the filler so be sure to add microfiber, milled fiber, or silica. I use West 404. It will be much stronger than straight epoxy.