TOUGHENED EPOXY SYSTEMS

DR/DH Series Resins and Hardener

DR/DH series epoxy resins offer a wide range of physical and mechanical properties. These resins are all categorized as two phase systems where elastomeric particles form within the resin during the cure to enhance the toughness and cohesion properties. DR/DH resins are designed to optimize resin toughness while maintaining high stiffness and adhesion properties. The DR/DH resin systems work well on all fiberglass, carbon, and Kevlar reinforcements. The different resins and hardeners can be matched in any way to yield desired cure characteristics and properties. See Table I for suggestions and appropriate mix ratios.

Resins (DR)
DR-5 is a low viscosity (2000 cps) resin intended for hand laminating, filament winding, RTM and VARTM processes.
DR-7 medium viscosity (3000 cps) resins for wet impregnation equipment and applications where higher viscosity is beneficial to improve handling. DR-11 has higher stiffness and is optimized for applications under high compression loads.
DR-AD is a tough adhesive for maximum peel strength and creep resistance. Adhesive works well in bonding metal and composite structures.
DR-ADTX is same as DR-AD but with additional thixotropic bondline control. Excellent adhesive for manufacturing honeycomb and other cored structures where low sag is needed.

Data Sheets: DR-5 / DR-7 / DR-ADTX / DH-AD

Hardeners
EH-101 is the fastest cure hardener (15 min. pot life) and is excellent for joining and fairing. Cures well at low temperatures.
EH-102 is designed for laminating moderately large components which need very good overnight room temperature cure and 2-3 hours working time. Parts can be de-molded after 12 hours at 77 F without the typical epoxy brittle phase.
EH-103 is a long potlife (200 min) hardener which sets overnight, but requires 120 F post cure to eliminate brittle phase in cure. Excellent hardener for large boating projects which may require 8 hours of working time.
EH-104 is the slowest hardener and has low skin irritation and is recommended for individuals whom are sensitive to epoxy resin hardeners, and large projects that require up to 12 hours of working time. Parts will set hard after 48 hours, but require additional heat at 160 F for 4 hours to complete the cure. Hardener is not recommended for cures below 160 F.
DH-AD converter is formulated to promote adhesion without the loss of modulus or creep resistance. DH-AD also maximizes bonding to polyester and vinyl ester resins and gel coats when used as a boundary ply. For best adhesion results, a light sanding and solvent wipe is recommended.


Property Summary and Application Guide for the DR - Toughened Epoxy Systems
Physical and Mechanical Properties
  Viscosity (cps)
A / B / Mixed		 Mix Ratio:
Vol Wt.		 Pot life
150gms
at 25C		 HDT
(deg C)		 Peel Strength*
(lb/in)		 Flex. Modulus
(msi)		 Applications
DR-5 / EH-101 2000 / 300 / 1200 4:1 100:22 15 min 83 25 .46 Fairing, bonding, and joining of parts which require short working time. Excellent bonding to metallic surfaces.
DR-5 / EH-102 2000 / 200 / 1000 4:1 100:22 87 min 81 19 .44 Hand lamination jobs requiring 3 hrs working time. Excellent overnight cure.
DR-5 / EH-103 2000 / 100 / 1000 4:1 100:22 180 min 92 18 .48 Hand lamination jobs requiring 8 hrs working time and low temperature cure
DR-5 / EH-104 2000 / 300 / 1400 4:1 100:22 8 hours 88 18 .48 Large parts requiring long working time. Fast cure pultrusions (1-5 minutes @ 250-300 F). Low skin sensitivity. Parts require 160 F post cure.
DR-7 / EH-101 3000 / 300 / 2000 4:1 100:22 13 min 92 24 .48 Same as DR-5/EH-101 but to be used with wet impregnation equipment. Gives optimum balance of peel strength and modulus. Excellent for manufacturing skis and snowboards.
DR-7 / EH-102 3000 / 200 / 1800 4:1 100:22 60 min 100 19 .52 Same as DR-5/EH-102 but with a slightly higher viscosity and increase in stiffness. Excellent for products under high compression loads.
DR-AD / EH-AD 15,000 / 11,000 / 12,000 2:1 100:44 85 min 85 25 .45 Excellent for secondary bonding to composites and metallics. At least one surface should be textured for bondline control. Otherwise use DR-ADTX adhesive.
DR-ADTX / EH-AD Paste / Gel   100:44 85 min 85 28 .46 Honeycomb sandwich panels, and bonding jobs requiring low sag.

Additional Product Information
  • 90° Peel Strength is a direct correlation with resin toughness and adhesion, and is a measurement of the composites resistance to premature delamination.
  • Test done using 3 plies 7781 glass reinforced laminate co-cured to lightly sanded and solvent wiped aluminum sheet.

Other product data and safety sheets are available on request.



Epoxy Pricing
Pricing per pound for ER & DR epoxy resins
Product Drum (480 lbs)
$ per lb		 5 Gal Pail (42 lbs)
$ per lb		 1 Gal Ctnr (8-10 lbs)
$ per lb
ER-2 3.96 4.75 5.93
ER-3 4.10 4.85 6.00
ER-4 4.85 6.00 7.00
DR-5 4.50 5.60 6.90
DR-7 4.05 4.80 6.25
DR-ADTX Call (400 lbs) 6.00 (35 lbs) 7.20 (7 lbs)
Pricing per pound for EH hardeners
Product 15 Gal Ctnr (110 lbs)
$ per lb		 5 Gal (40 lbs)
$ per lb		 1 Gal Ctnr (8-10lbs)
$ per lb		 1 Qt Ctnr (2 lbs)
$ per lb
EH-101 4.80 5.30 6.00 8.00
EH-102 5.25 5.70 6.50 8.00
EH-103 5.14 6.31 7.63 9.33
DH-AD 4.20 (176 lbs) 6.30 (17 lbs) 6.30 (3.1 lbs)

May 2009. Prices Subject To Change Without Notice.