resin/catalyst ratio question

Heres a resin question, though. I tested my lam resin and catalyst just now, and here’s my results:

one oz kicked in 9 mintues with .6cc of cat (measured with a 3 cc syringe)

one oz kicked in 12 minutes with .4cc

one oz kicked in 20 minutes with .2cc

This obviously isn’t a smooth curve, so how much per oz, ml, quart, whatever… should I add to have it kick in about 30 minutes? Do you all have a standard formula?

http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/pdf/miscellaneous/MEKPChart.pdf

Check that out. You have to adjust for temp and humidity so it could be different evryday. mixing an oz. will not reflect what happens when mixing a qt. very well, especially if you left it in the cup.

Shwuz:

JR1 is on it. Your target is 1% but that won’t work at all times. Temperature (ideal about 70 degrees), humidity and the state of your catalyst all play a role. I’ve found that if catalyst is left sitting out in a clear container with UV light on it or open to the air your results will be unpredictable too. High temps above 85 degrees or so are more unpredictable than cooler temps. I’d suggest anyone doing a few boards to check out www.suncure.com, their powdered UV catalyst works great with Silmar lam resin. Your failure rate and all the associated temp, humidity and mixing problems will be a thing of the past. Good luck…

Tom S.