Epoxy Resin / Toolng Resin

Type EP 310 Resin B Standard hardener / EP 310 BLP* Long pot life hardener
Density (kg/dm3) 2 / 2
Hardness (Rockwell) 112R/91D / 112R/91D
Flexural Strength (N/mm2) 130 / 125
Flexural Modulus (N/mm2) 13,800 / 12,500
Tensile Strength (N/mm2) 75 / 75
Tensile Modulus (N/mm2) 14,000 / 14,500
Compression Strength (N/mm2) 265  / 255
Compression Modulus (N/mm2) 6,800 / 9,000
Izod Impact Strength (J/cm) 0.7 / 0.7
Shrinkage (%) -0.01 +-- 0
Thermal Conductivity (W/mK) 1.65 / 2.08
Linear Expansion (x 10-6/K) 30 / 31
Deflection Temperature (癈) 250 / 250

Pot Life at 25癈(min) 60 / 90

Application

EP310 is a castable, high strength, high heat stable tooling system, for prototype and short production runs (100 - 2000) in thermoplastics. Typically tooling can be completed from two to four weeks depending on the complexity of the part. Tools produced with EP310 have excellent surface finish and can be polished, machined, tapped and drilled.

Process

The process starts with the production of the RP master, typically SL model. The SL model is finished to the desired level before placing into a casting frame. The parting plane is established either using plasticine manually or integrating with the part in the CAD model. Before pouring the resin, machined inserts are integrated into the model in order to improve the tool life. The required amount of EP 310 material is added with the hardener and mixed thoroughly using vacuum mixer. Then the material is casted against the model and further de-gassing is done by placing it in the vacuum chamber. This is followed by curing overnight at room temperature. This completes one half of the tool. Another half is prepared in the same way and the complete tool is post cured with successive higher temperature up to 150 癈 to achieve maximum strength. Concurrently the bolster assembly is prepared to incorporate the EP tool inserts.