Epoxy other then Smooth-on

[arachnid]

Hi guys.
I checked and it'll cost me a lot to order and ship smooth-on epoxy to Israel. I have another option called 'Biresin CR80' it's made in Germany by a company called Sika. I've been told it's a good epoxy glue and used by the military.
Does anyone have any experience with glues other then smooth-on?
Anyone knows this epoxy?
Can I know if it'll be good by looking at the technical sheet?

[bamboo]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiKrr-8x5jOAhVBeD4KHcZbBRcQFghWMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smooth-on.com%2Fproducts%2Fea-40%2 F&usg=AFQjCNFL6dj4rg-sjO52-tfi_Yuc5mCcuw

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiL2pDfyJjOAhXJjz4KHUBJBtoQFggjMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeu.sika.com%2Fdms%2Fgetdocument.get%2F0a1547d8-a91d-3 7e1-a3a7-15935f9790f5%2FBiresin_CR80_eng.pdf&usg=AFQjCNEe5MAFCIraOOalXJ8pSaw-cG9yaw&bvm=bv.128617741,d.cWw

[bamboo]

the first paragraph states it is low viscosity
is it being used as a bow making resin in Europe?

[Robertfishes]

I have only used Smooth On.. I have heard of guys using one of the "West Systems" epoxy with mixed results.. ..Try Atlantis Marine Ltd in Tel Aviv, I would pay the extra cost and get the smooth on...

[arachnid]

I don't personally know any europian bowyers, but there's a guy on youtube called Dave Watson that uses Smooth-on.

Is "Low viscosity" a good thing for bow making? Smooth-on is low viscosity as well....

[arachnid]

I tried to compare the technical sheets of both glues but they seem to use different units...

[Kauz]

Hello,
you could buy SmoothOn in Germany from Kaupo:
http://www.kaupo.de/shop/EPOXIDKLEBER/EA-40/
Rudi Weick (Germany)sells Laminates, glass and epoxy:
http://rudiweick.de/bogenbaumaterial/
Another option is UHU plus endfest 300, which is available in different size packages from many sources including e*ay, as it is kind of a standard epoxy in Germany. I've built bows using UHU, it's quite strong but darkens wood slightly.
http://www.uhu-profishop.com/uhu-plus-300-epoxy-resin-adhesive-tube-binder-tube-hardener-33g.html
http://www.uhu-profishop.com/downloads/dl/file/id/567/technical_data_sheet_uhu_plus_endfest_engl.pdf

[arachnid]

Thanks Kauz.
I've looked at the supplyers you mentioned but they don't ship to Israel.

Did you have good results with UHU? I think I can get it in Isreal for quite cheap...
Had any faliures with it?

[Kauz]

Hadn't any fault with UHU, strongest bow was 58#. the epoxy is considered the strongest here in Germany, but rather expensive, having otoh a shelf life of several years under average conditions.
UHU 915g+740g 169€
Smooth-On EA 40 1.9 kg 75€
to give you an idea of price relations.

EA 40 should be available in Israel from
Cermat, Ltd.
HaHaruv Street
Or Akiva 30652
Israel
Tel: +972-4-8571141
Fax: +972-4-8571139
http://www.cermat.co.il/

[arachnid]

I already contacted Cermat here in Israel but the don't have smooth-on in stock. There the one's who offered me the biresin CR80, because that's what they have.

[Kauz]

Can you get the Data Sheet for that glue to compare?

For the UHU brand, there are distributors listed at:
http://www.uhu.com/en/information/contact-service/uhu-distributors.html

None in Israel, but in Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus, Egypt.

[arachnid]

Here are the links for the data sheets:

Smooth-on:
http://www.sculpt.com/technotes/Tech_Sheets/TECH_SHEET_EA40

biresin CR80:
http://deu.sika.com/dms/getdocument.get/0a1547d8-a91d-37e1-a3a7-15935f9790f5/Biresin_CR80_eng.pdf

Both are low viscosity and seem to have good tensile strength.
If you can help me compare, that`ll be great

[Kauz]

Well, I'm no physicist, being a bit worried by different units and properties that are measured. What, e.g. are psi 190 M, 190,000 psi or 190 Mega psi? Comparability is restricted by the manufacturers not using the same properties; UHU for example gives tensile shear strength (and tells about the test conditions), which is not mentioned by Biresin nor Smooth-On.
From what I think I can read, the Biresin seems to be superior to EA40 in most aspects.
But perhaps there is someone with more knowledge about physical properties here to give you profound help.

[arachnid]

So I guess I`ll just have to try it and find out.
Thanks a lot Kauz.

[Gundog68]

In germany there is a company called r&g    R&G  . They have epoxy too (a lot). Some people are using it for bow building. I always use smooth on from kaupo or the stuff from rudi weick like kauz. So there is no first hand expearance on my side.