Recommend a 2-pack epoxy adhesive

[Sergeant Pluck]

Can anyone suggest a reliable epoxy for a metal to carbon fibre bond? This is for a tubular alloy insert that goes into a carbon fibre steerer tube. It is a pretty snug fit so I don't think much gap-filling is needed. Needs to cure reliably at normal room temps - but not the rapid-cure type.

I am currently thinking of something along the lines of Loctite Bondmaster E32. The fork manufacturers do supply a pack of 2-part epoxy with the fitting kit, but the quantity is rather limited and I think I'd be better having a bit more available.

[alexb]

Can anyone suggest a reliable epoxy for a metal to carbon fibre bond? This is for a tubular alloy insert that goes into a carbon fibre steerer tube. It is a pretty snug fit so I don't think much gap-filling is needed. Needs to cure reliably at normal room temps - but not the rapid-cure type.

I am currently thinking of something along the lines of Loctite Bondmaster E32. The fork manufacturers do supply a pack of 2-part epoxy with the fitting kit, but the quantity is rather limited and I think I'd be better having a bit more available.

There should be an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) supplied with that adhesive. If not, phone and request it, it's a legal requirement.
On that you will find a CAS number. Google the CAS number and look for the commercial product that matches.

I'd suggest Araldite Precision in the blue packets.

[Sergeant Pluck]

Thanks alexb. The epoxy supplied with the fork was this Hardman stuff:

http://www.ellsworth.com/display/productdetail.html?productid=47&Tab=products

Data sheet here:

http://207.250.200.229:8080/1/doc?id=47032

I presume that the lack of solvents and non-shrinking are important features.

[redshift]

+1 for Araldite if you only want a small amount.  The lack of solvent and non-shrink aspects are due to it being a catalysed reaction - it's a catalysed cross-linking, not an evaporation.

Reading that data sheet though, this looks more like a 'liquid metal' type epoxy putty - I think Evo-Stik do one, or the Araldite equivalent (Rapid Steel) might be more suited?

[Sergeant Pluck]

The manufacturers recommend JB Weld "or similar" if not using theepoxy that comes with the fork.

[redshift]

JB Weld was the one I couldn't remember...   

[Sergeant Pluck]

The reason I ask the question here is that when I read a bit about JB Weld, it seems to be used mostly for cracks in metal components, rather than the sort of thing I have in mind, so I wondered what the alternatives might be.

[chris]

Gurit do a massive range of epoxies. Their data sheets can be found here.

[ScumOfTheRoad]

PM me tomorrow. I don't know the answer, but I'm sure I'll find a man or woman who does.

[alexb]

Thanks alexb. The epoxy supplied with the fork was this Hardman stuff:

http://www.ellsworth.com/display/productdetail.html?productid=47&Tab=products

Data sheet here:

http://207.250.200.229:8080/1/doc?id=47032

I presume that the lack of solvents and non-shrinking are important features.

Here's a year 2000 MSDS for that adhesive, a google search unearthed it.
http://www.labsafety.com/store/assets/support_documents/msds3292.pdf
However, it doesn't list any of the ingredients except aluminium. We wouldn't be allowed to use this in our lab because of the lack of documentation. However, this is an old, american data sheet. You mighht find better details out there.

[alexb]

OK, it's a phenolic resin.
eBook Search Queen
The key component has the CAS number 25068-38-6.
CAS number 25068-38-6 - Google Search
Running that back into Google shows that araldite precision (ther blue pack) has the same composition.

So there you go. Araldite Precision.
Araldite Precision
American site, but the packaging is right. About £6.

[Sergeant Pluck]

Superb, thanks 

[alexb]

No probs. A bit of distraction whilst the election is on and more fun that writing up my annual appraisal!