RM 2550

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RM 2550 is an unsaturated polyester resin, especially formulated for mould making. Filled and pre-accelerated, it is a ready to use product. Obtaining moulds with superior surface profile and ZERO shrinkage.

Characteristics

RM 2550 have been designed to polymerize at room temperature following addition of MEKP(with min 9% active oxygen content)
Rapid cure and rapid manufacture of the mould (in one day).
A easy to use product, pre-filled and pre-accelerated, with no further mixing required.
Fillers: reduce the cost and improve rigidity of the mold. ADVANTAGES
Rapid cure and rapid making of moulds.
NO shrink. Low profile surfaces.
Reduction of mold cost.
Complete dimensional stability.
Uses standard catalyst : MEKP (Peroxide) with min 9% active oxygen content

Advantages and Recommendations

Manufacture of a mould in one day instead of one week using standard resin system.

Gel coat thickness must be between 600 and 800 microns.

Application of Tooling Resin

RM2550. Before use, mix the resin well to achieve a homogeneous product.

For optimum result of cure, don't catalyze under 1% of MEKP (Peroxide) (ask 3M

Corporation for gel time results with different percentages of catalysts if required). To

obtain optimum properties of the tooling resin, we advise to use RM 2550 at temperature

between 18 and 25°C. Low temperatures are not good for the low shrink effect and

high temperatures will give a short gel time.

Hand Lay-Up

When the gel coat becomes tacky, apply some catalyzed resin to wet the surface. This

will aid the wetting out of the glass fiber. Apply a layer of 100 g/m² (10 tex). Remove air

voids with a roller. Apply then 6 layers of 300 g/m² (1 oz /f²t) or 4 layers of 450 g/m² (1.5 oz /ft²)) to

obtain a thickness of 3 to 4 mm. Remove air voids with a roller between each layer. The

laminate will turn white when curing. Wait for the peak exotherm to subside (about 1

hour) before starting the second laminate. For the second laminate, use 4 layers of 450

g/m² (1.5 oz /ft²). Remove air voids with a roller between each layer and wait for the laminate

to reach peak exotherm again and turn white. Proceed like this until you achieve

the thickness you require.

Spray Up

Tests were made using equipment from GLAS-CRAFT LPAIIS/SP 85 EC.

System pump = 11:1 Gun with Air Assist Containment. Like in the hand lay-up, apply

some catalyzed resin on the polymerized gel coat to wet the surface. Apply a layer of

100 g/m² (10 tex). Remove air voids with a roller. Spray a layer of 3 to 4 mm of resin and

chopped fibers. After it has turned white and the exotherm has died down (about 1

hour), continue until the required thickness is achieved, with subsequent additions of 3

to 4 mm of resin and chopped fibers .

Nida-Core

1- DEFINITIONS
RM 2550 is a new generation tooling resin without shrinkage for the production of thinner moulds with a higher glass ratio. The ratio glass / resin is : 1 / 2.6.
RM 2550 is an unsaturated polyester resin for the production of composite moulds without shrinkage.
RM 2550 is pre filled, pre accelerated and ready to use.

2- CHARACTERISTICS
♦ Polyester resin which with cure at ambient temperature with the addition of MEKP (e.g. Butanox M50 from Akzo).
♦ A pre filled, pre accelerated resin for the rapid production of moulds.
♦ No shrinkage, good surface appearance.
♦ The product is ready to use.
♦ Easy wet out, fast curing.

3- SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS
♦ Good mouldability, and fast wet out, glass to resin ratio : 1 / 2.6.
♦ Produces moulds approximately 20% lighter (compared with moulds made from conventional tooling resins)
♦ Lower tooling resin costs.
♦ Superior mechanical properties due to a glass content approximately 25% higher than with conventional tooling resins (cf §5).
4- PROPERTIES OF THE LIQUID RESIN
Shelf Life
6 months (stir every time before use)
Flammability-Inflammable
Density-1,48 g/ cm3
Appearance-White liquid
Gel time (20°C, 1% MEKP)-35 – 45 minutes
Peak Exotherm (20°C on 100 g, 1% MEKP)-100 – 125°C
Brookfield Viscosity 100 rpm (20°C, sp4)-1100 – 1350 mPa.s
Solid content-72 – 74%
Barcol Hardness-40 – 45** after 24 hours on a laminate made with 4 layers 450 g/m² chopped strand mat.
5- PROPERTIES OF THE CURED RESIN
Heat distortion temperature (HDT)-81°C (cast resin)
Tensile strength*-92.5 MPa
Tensile modulus-1.43 GPa
Flexural strength*-154.2 MPa
Flexural modulus*-5.19 GPa
* Test made on a laminate post cured for 16 Hours at 40°C reinforced with 4 layers of 450 g/m² chopped strand mat.

6- PROCEDURE FOR MOULD PRODUCTION
Application of the gel coat.Apply 800μ of tooling vinylester gel coat GC206/GC207 with several fine layers of between 150 to 200μm.The gel coat must be applied at a temperature between 18 and 25°C and catalysed with Butanox M50 at a level between 1.5 and 2%.
When the gel coat is well cured (for optimum conditions, wait at least 4 hours before starting lamination), laminate with Norester R842 as follow:
- 1 mat 100g/m2 and 2 mats 300/gm2 with 2% Butanox M50 wet on wet.
Laminating with RM 2550 can start the following day.
With every application it is important to mix the resin well for several minutes to ensure complete homogeneity.
To obtain optimum properties with the RM2550 tooling resin, we recommend a resin and workshop temperature between 18 and 25°C. Too low a temperature will not allow the anti shrink additives in the resin to be activated. Too high a temperature will cause a significant reduction in the gel time leading to application problems with the RM2550.
Catalyst level should not be less than 1% of MEKP and not more than 1.5% of MEKP (by weight) in order to achieve optimum hardening of the resin.
Hand Lay Up with RM 2550
After laminating the R842 layers, put a fine layer of catalysed resin RM2550 with a brush.
Then apply 4 layers 450g/m2 with RM 2550, consolidating each layer.
Wait about 1H – 1H30 after the complete whitening of the first set of 4 layers 4 x 450g/m2 mats, before laminating the second set of layers of 4 x 450g/m2 mats. Continue this process until the required thickness has been achieved.
It is important to laminate 4 layers of 450g/m2, wet on wet, in order to generate enough exotherm to activate the anti shrink components in the resin.
The regular and homogeneous whitening of the laminate ensures that the product is being used correctly.
Spray Up with RM 2550
Evaluations were carried out with: GLAS CRAFT (LPA II S/SP85 EC). External mix, system "Air Assist Containment". Pump Ratio : 11: 1. Tip diameter 43, angle 40. Catalyst pump adjusted to : 1.25% of MEKP.
�� Remove the filters from the gun to avoid blocking with fillers in the resin.
�� On the cured gel coat, put a fine layer of resin without fiber.
�� Spray a thickness of 3 to 4 mm of resin and chopped fiber with several fines layers.
�� After consolidation wait 1H – 1H30.
�� Repeat the process until the required thickness is achieved.
�� 2 rovings may be sprayed.
N.B. : Avoid contaminating the surface of the mould with dust between laminates, as this can affect the interlaminar adhesion.

7- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEMOULDING
According to the size, and application of the mould, it is strongly recommended to reinforce the mould with ribs and to demould between 2 and 5 days after laminating, to avoid any marks from the ribs.
If the installation of ribs is not necessary, then release of the mould can then be carried out 24 hours after the peak exotherm of the last layers of RM2550.

8- PACKAGING
Available in 5 gal pails or 55 gallon

9- STORAGE CONDITIONS AND HANDLING
Storage life : 6 months.
The tooling resin RM 2550 is subject to the Flammable Liquid Regulations. The product should be stored under cool conditions in closed opaque containers at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. Avoid exposure to heat sources such as direct sunlight

NORD COMPOSITES is distributed in the USA & Canada by:

3M Corporation

541 NW Interpark Place
St. Lucie, FL 34986

Tel: (772) 343-7300
Fax: (772) 343-9700

Email: sales@nida-core.com

3M Express
1-800-998-9796