Alumilite
Member
Hello all,
Wanted to pass along some recent information we have obtained and learned about the "B" side of our Crystal Clear urethane casting system many in this forum have or are using. A few days ago I spoke with one of our primary raw materials suppliers and uncovered some fine print of one of the components we use in the "B" side which states that it is temperature sensitive below 70 degrees F. Meaning the material may thicken, gel, and could eventually crystalize if exposed to storage temperatures below 70 degrees F. This came to a serious shock to us as the system has passed our internal QC testing and approval processes for shelf life (includes extreme cold and warm environments) as well as moisture absorption. But the simple fact was we were seeing inconsistencies with some of our customers which raised concerns to us and we simply needed to find an answer. There was even one person from this forum I spoke with approximately 6 weeks ago that we simply didn't have an answer for.
After a lot of digging and many discussions, what we've uncovered is that when the material is exposed to cold temperatures (even extremely low temperatures ... below freezing) for short periods of time (less than 7 days) the material stays liquid and does not experience any abnormal increase in viscosity but if the material sits in a below room temperature (approximately 60-65 degrees) environment for prolonged periods of time (best of our knowledge right now is more than 2 weeks), the B side begins to thicken and will eventually gel. We have experienced a half dozen phone calls from people in the midwest and north in the last 3 weeks experiencing the same issues who have had absolutely no issues over the last 6 months. Fortunately it has not caught up to our southern friends quite yet.
Updates to our website, product labels, data sheets, MSDS, and FAQs are soon to follow. But I wanted to first and foremost spread the word to please store the Crystal Clear B side (preferrably both parts) in a 70 degree F environment to preserve the viscosity of the material. I would also recommend removing it from cement floors and placing the material on a shelf to eliminate the possibility of the cold temperatures transferring into the containers.
The good news is that even though the material may thicken or gel, it can be completely restored with no loss of physical properties or characteristics by simply warming the material. Here is the recommended procedure for warming and restoring the thickened B side.
If the "B" side thickens to a gel like state, warm the material to bring it back to its original consistency. Warm the material by filling a container (large enough to place the entire "B" side container into) with hot tap water (do not boil or heat more than 140 degrees F) and place the entire sealed container into the bucket of water. DO NOT open the caps and do not pour the resin into the water. Simply warm the container using hot tap water for 30 to 60 minutes. Shake occasionally until the "B" side returns to its original thin viscosity. Rotate hot water as needed and continue to warm until the material thins back down to its original viscosity. DO NOT microwave the material. DO NOT place the plastic container in an oven in an attempt to restore. A hot plate can be used but should be set at a very low temperature setting between 120-140 degrees F. The material should also be shaken frequently to mix the warming "B" side and prevent the bottom from getting too hot. Once the material has been restored, it will stay in its liquid state until being exposed to below 65 degree temperatures for prolonged periods of time in which it will once again begin to thicken. Short periods of cold temperature exposure will not affect the "B" side viscosity however prolonged periods will cause the "B" side to thicken and eventually gel.
We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused anyone using the material and ask that you call us if you have any questions at 800 447-9344 and we'll be more than happy to work with you to make sure the Crystal Clear is performing properly.
thanks,
Mike Faupel
Alumilite
Wanted to pass along some recent information we have obtained and learned about the "B" side of our Crystal Clear urethane casting system many in this forum have or are using. A few days ago I spoke with one of our primary raw materials suppliers and uncovered some fine print of one of the components we use in the "B" side which states that it is temperature sensitive below 70 degrees F. Meaning the material may thicken, gel, and could eventually crystalize if exposed to storage temperatures below 70 degrees F. This came to a serious shock to us as the system has passed our internal QC testing and approval processes for shelf life (includes extreme cold and warm environments) as well as moisture absorption. But the simple fact was we were seeing inconsistencies with some of our customers which raised concerns to us and we simply needed to find an answer. There was even one person from this forum I spoke with approximately 6 weeks ago that we simply didn't have an answer for.
After a lot of digging and many discussions, what we've uncovered is that when the material is exposed to cold temperatures (even extremely low temperatures ... below freezing) for short periods of time (less than 7 days) the material stays liquid and does not experience any abnormal increase in viscosity but if the material sits in a below room temperature (approximately 60-65 degrees) environment for prolonged periods of time (best of our knowledge right now is more than 2 weeks), the B side begins to thicken and will eventually gel. We have experienced a half dozen phone calls from people in the midwest and north in the last 3 weeks experiencing the same issues who have had absolutely no issues over the last 6 months. Fortunately it has not caught up to our southern friends quite yet.
Updates to our website, product labels, data sheets, MSDS, and FAQs are soon to follow. But I wanted to first and foremost spread the word to please store the Crystal Clear B side (preferrably both parts) in a 70 degree F environment to preserve the viscosity of the material. I would also recommend removing it from cement floors and placing the material on a shelf to eliminate the possibility of the cold temperatures transferring into the containers.
The good news is that even though the material may thicken or gel, it can be completely restored with no loss of physical properties or characteristics by simply warming the material. Here is the recommended procedure for warming and restoring the thickened B side.
If the "B" side thickens to a gel like state, warm the material to bring it back to its original consistency. Warm the material by filling a container (large enough to place the entire "B" side container into) with hot tap water (do not boil or heat more than 140 degrees F) and place the entire sealed container into the bucket of water. DO NOT open the caps and do not pour the resin into the water. Simply warm the container using hot tap water for 30 to 60 minutes. Shake occasionally until the "B" side returns to its original thin viscosity. Rotate hot water as needed and continue to warm until the material thins back down to its original viscosity. DO NOT microwave the material. DO NOT place the plastic container in an oven in an attempt to restore. A hot plate can be used but should be set at a very low temperature setting between 120-140 degrees F. The material should also be shaken frequently to mix the warming "B" side and prevent the bottom from getting too hot. Once the material has been restored, it will stay in its liquid state until being exposed to below 65 degree temperatures for prolonged periods of time in which it will once again begin to thicken. Short periods of cold temperature exposure will not affect the "B" side viscosity however prolonged periods will cause the "B" side to thicken and eventually gel.
We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused anyone using the material and ask that you call us if you have any questions at 800 447-9344 and we'll be more than happy to work with you to make sure the Crystal Clear is performing properly.
thanks,
Mike Faupel
Alumilite
