| Science Forum Index » Materials Forum » dissolving cured epoxy |
|
Page 1 of 1 |
|
| Author |
Message |
| brian stahl |
 Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 10:14 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
I have an Inconel 600 plate sample mounted in epoxy (for metallographic
examination), however I learned too late that my boss wants SEM images
of some features on the plate. I'm looking for a solvent that can
dissolve the cured epoxy while not harming the Inconel sample. Of
course I Googled it before I posted here, and the only real hit I got
was some DIY website that said hot MEK will dissolve cured epoxy. Is
this claim accurate? Also, what are the hazards associated with
heating MEK, aside from the volatility/noxious fumes? Is there any
risk of it reacting unfavorably with the Inconel or the epoxy?
Thank you in advance. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| Frank Logullo |
| Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:24 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
"brian stahl" <brian.stahl@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1116303283.148975.39510@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
[quote:49c203d837]I have an Inconel 600 plate sample mounted in epoxy (for metallographic
examination), however I learned too late that my boss wants SEM images
of some features on the plate. I'm looking for a solvent that can
dissolve the cured epoxy while not harming the Inconel sample. Of
course I Googled it before I posted here, and the only real hit I got
was some DIY website that said hot MEK will dissolve cured epoxy. Is
this claim accurate? Also, what are the hazards associated with
heating MEK, aside from the volatility/noxious fumes? Is there any
risk of it reacting unfavorably with the Inconel or the epoxy?
[/quote:49c203d837]
Crosslinked epoxy is really not soluble but solvent may plasticize it and
remove it.
Check the MSDS on MEK and run in area where fumes can disipate and not catch
fire.
I would think a paint remover with methylene chloride might work. There are
still fumes but heat is not needed.
Frank |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| Al |
| Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:51 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
In article <1116303283.148975.39510@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"brian stahl" <brian.stahl@gmail.com> wrote:
[quote:80b68e0041]I have an Inconel 600 plate sample mounted in epoxy (for metallographic
examination), however I learned too late that my boss wants SEM images
of some features on the plate. I'm looking for a solvent that can
dissolve the cured epoxy while not harming the Inconel sample. Of
course I Googled it before I posted here, and the only real hit I got
was some DIY website that said hot MEK will dissolve cured epoxy. Is
this claim accurate? Also, what are the hazards associated with
heating MEK, aside from the volatility/noxious fumes? Is there any
risk of it reacting unfavorably with the Inconel or the epoxy?
Thank you in advance.
[/quote:80b68e0041]
Google "epoxy solvent" and this is what you get:
http://www.dynaloy.com/epoxy_products.html
These products worked well for me.
Al |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| Uncle Al |
| Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 10:11 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
brian stahl wrote:
[quote:74b82c713c]
I have an Inconel 600 plate sample mounted in epoxy (for metallographic
examination), however I learned too late that my boss wants SEM images
of some features on the plate. I'm looking for a solvent that can
dissolve the cured epoxy while not harming the Inconel sample. Of
course I Googled it before I posted here, and the only real hit I got
was some DIY website that said hot MEK will dissolve cured epoxy. Is
this claim accurate? Also, what are the hazards associated with
heating MEK, aside from the volatility/noxious fumes? Is there any
risk of it reacting unfavorably with the Inconel or the epoxy?
Thank you in advance.
[/quote:74b82c713c]
Epoxy is crosslinked. It cannot be dissolved without first destroying
its structure. It can be swollen and weakened by solvation. The more
the crosslinking the more reluctant it will be to give.
Room temp Soaking in methylene chloride or acetone might do it.
Depends on the epoxy. Good stuff won't budge.
Your first shot is 24-hr soaking. If that doesn't work, 24-hr soaking
hot in high-boiling polar or chlorinated solvents - NMP (N-methyl
pyrrolidinone), DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), chloro- or
dichlorobenzene, methyl isobutyl ketone, isophorone. Don't breathe
the fumes and don't let the pot evaporate to dryness (an air or reflux
condenser helps - and beware the water connections and flow).
--
Uncle Al
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/
(Toxic URL! Unsafe for children and most mammals)
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/qz.pdf |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| Nicolas DELFAU |
| Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 4:01 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
Dear Brian,
As already posted by the colleagues, cured epoxy does not dissolve. However,
as manufacturer and user of adhesives and coatings, I used to clean my
samples and remove cured epoxy with the following mixture :
ether (such as methoxypropanol) / aromatic (such as xylene) / ketonic (such
as acetone or MEK)
Etching for some minutes at room temperature ; then remove the plasticized
and softened epoxy with a spatula. It comes very easily, but it depends
whether your epoxy is based is aromatic or aliphatic.
Hope this helps.
Nicolas DELFAU
"brian stahl" <brian.stahl@gmail.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
1116303283.148975.39510@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
[quote:88388ea453]... I'm looking for a solvent that can dissolve the cured epoxy while not
harming the Inconel sample...[/quote:88388ea453] |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| Guest |
| Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 11:14 am |
|
|
|
|
if you're after getting the sample out of the mount, this is what I do.
scribe some notches on the back of the mount (make sure they surround
your sample and run from one end of the mount to the other. Then drop
it in liquid nitrogen for a few minutes, pull it out, and stick it in
some vice grips. You can either then squeeze the vice grip and break
the mount, or stick a flathead screwdriver into the notches and tap on
the back with rubber mallets. You should be very careful though so as
not to ruin your good finish ( if you have one)
-srvclapton |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| brian stahl |
| Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 7:32 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
Thank you all for your advice. I was considering using liquid nitrogen
to mechanically remove the epoxy, but there are some fine diameter
holes in the plate that I am interested in that would still be filled
with epoxy. Anyways, I explained the situation to the boss and he said
don't bother with the SEM. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| Uncle Al |
| Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 7:51 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
brian stahl wrote:
[quote:065f419761]
Thank you all for your advice. I was considering using liquid nitrogen
to mechanically remove the epoxy, but there are some fine diameter
holes in the plate that I am interested in that would still be filled
with epoxy. Anyways, I explained the situation to the boss and he said
don't bother with the SEM.
[/quote:065f419761]
Cold plasma ashing and patience. "8^>)
--
Uncle Al
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/
(Toxic URL! Unsafe for children and most mammals)
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/qz.pdf |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
| Guest |
| Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 4:46 pm |
|
|
|
|
brian stahl wrote:
[quote:cc44a2322c]Thank you all for your advice. I was considering using liquid
nitrogen
to mechanically remove the epoxy, but there are some fine diameter
holes in the plate that I am interested in that would still be filled
with epoxy. Anyways, I explained the situation to the boss and he
said
don't bother with the SEM.
[/quote:cc44a2322c]
I have had very good experience doing exactly what you propose with
epoxy mounted specimens. Methylene Chloride or Trichloroethylene
soaked overnight will do the trick. Usually after a couple hours the
epoxy will soften and swell that you can physically remove the specimen
and resoak in solvent to get the rest of the epoxy. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
