Full General Datasheet
PRIME™ 180
HIGH TG RTM SYSTEM
¬ Low viscosity designed for RTM processes
¬ Long pot-life and wide injection window
¬ De-mouldable after 20 min at 120°C
¬ High Tg (>190°C) following cure at 180°C
¬ High temperature performance and good surface clarity
¬ For structural and aesthetic applications
INTRODUCTION
PRIME™ 180 is a two-component toughened epoxy system formulated for RTM processes for manufacturing high quality
structural carbon components.
PRIME™ 180 has a low mixed viscosity at room temperature and versatile curing, this allows for low temperature injection which can then
be followed by a pre-cure between 80-120°C. The resin has low viscosity and a long injection window at low-medium temperatures which
allows complex or thick section laminates to be manufactured.
PDS-PRIME 180-4-0617
1
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Optimum properties are achieved for PRIME™ 180 when injected under pressure in an RTM matched mould heated at a medium
temperature. Short processing times can be achieved following a pre-cure cycle of 20 min at 120°C to generate enough green strength for
de-moulding. A post cure of 180°C for 1 hour will maximise the thermal properties of the system.
PRIME™ 180 retains a good level of clarity which allows for carbon cosmetic finishes to be achieved directly from moulding. It is still
recommended that components are coated with a UV-resistant lacquer where long-term UV stability is required.
PRIME™ 180 is suitable for use with reinforcements containing low levels of epoxy binder. Please consult your local sales contact for further
information. Full contact details can be found at www.gurit.com.
MIXING AND HANDLING
Accurate measurement and thorough mixing are essential when using this system, and any deviation from the prescribed mix ratios will
seriously degrade the physical properties of the cured system. The resin and hardener must be stirred well with particular attention being paid
to the sides and bottom of the container. It is recommended PRIME™ 180 is mixed for fifteen minutes under a minimum 95% vacuum.
As soon as the material is mixed the reaction begins, therefore the mixed system should be used immediately. The system will, however,
require heat in order to complete the reaction fully.
COMPONENT PROPERTIES
Un-mixed resin and hardener component properties.
Units
PRIME™ 180 Resin
PRIME™ 180 Hardener
Parts by weight
100
100
-
cP
617
80
-
1
9
-
1.16
1.19
-
PROPERTY
Mix ratio by weight
Initial Viscosity @ 25°C
Colour
Component Density
Mixed Density
Gardner
3
g/cm
3
g/cm
TEST STANDARD
1.17
-
WORKING PROPERTIES
Mixed system working properties.
Units
PRIME™ 180 Resin/Hardener
Mixed Viscosity @ 25°C
cP
280
-
Injection Pressure and Temperature
Bar
1-6bar at 80-120°C*
-
Recommended Pre Cure Times and Temperatures
N/a
80°C for 120 Minutes
100°C for 35 Minutes
120°C for 20 Minutes
-
Gel Times at Pre Cure Temperatures
Mins
86
21
4.3
-
Recommended Post Cure Cycle
N/a
0.3°C/min Ramp rate to 180°C + 1hr @ 180°C
-
Recommended Inmould Single Stage Cure Cycle
N/a
120°C for 20 Minutes, 1-3°C/min ramp rate to 180°C, 1hr @ 180°C
-
PROPERTY
TEST STANDARD
*Lower temperature injections are possible but will require elevated temperature pre cures.
RESIN CAST PROPERTIES
All data presented in this datasheet is based on the mechanical testing of a single batch of material. 4mm resin cast oven cured using
standard processing techniques with the standard cure of 20 minutes at 120°C followed by a cool down before a post-cure of 1 hour at 180°C.
PROPERTY
Units
20min at 120 °C + 1h at 180 °C
Tg1 by DMA
°C
195-198
Tensile Strength
MPa
71
ISO 527-2
Tensile Modulus
GPa
2.8
ISO 527-2
%
3.6
ISO 527-2
Flexural Strength
MPa
107
ISO 178
Flexural Modulus
GPa
2.7
ISO 178
%
5.3
ISO 178
Gardner
9
-
-
Transparent
-
Tensile Strain
Flexural Strain
Colour
Appearance
PDS-PRIME 180-4-0617
TEST STANDARD
ASTM D7028
2
LAMINATE PROPERTIES
Laminates were pre-cured for 60 minutes at 105°C followed by a cool down before a post-cure of 1 hour at 180°C.
PROPERTY
Symbol
PRIME™ 180 / Unidirectional
TEST STANDARD
-
390g/m2 stitched unidirectional using T620 24k fibre
-
Resin Injection Method
-
85°C (185°F) resin injection at 3 bar pressure with a -1 bar vacuum
consolidation
-
Pre Cure Schedule
-
45 minutes at 85°C (185°F) followed by a 3°C/min ramp up to
105°C (221°F) for a dwell of 60 minutes
-
Fabric / Fibre Description
Post Cure Schedule
1 hour at 180°C (255°F) with a ramp rate of 0.3°C/min
Cured Ply Density
Ρply
1.52 – 1.56 g/cm3
0.055 – 0.057 lb/in3
Glass Transition Temperature
Tg1
195 – 198°C
383 – 388°F
Cured Ply Thickness
tply
0.40 – 0.42 mm
0.016 – 0.017 in
0° Tensile Cured Fibre Volume*
Vf
0° Tensile Strength
(Normalised to 55%)
XT
1459 MPa
212 Ksi
ISO 527-4
0° Tensile Modulus
(Normalised to 55%)
ET11
116 GPa
17 Msi
ISO 527-4
0° Compressive Strength Fibre Volume*
Vf
0° Compressive Strength
(Normalised to 55%)
XC
0° Compressive Modulus Fibre Volume*
Vf
0° Compressive Modulus
(Normalised to 55%)
Ec11
50.4 %
ASTM D 3171 Method II
ASTM D 3171 Method II
121 Ksi
53.7 %
100 GPa
ISO 6721 (DMA)
ASTM D 3171 Method II
53.1 %
831 MPa
-
SACMA SRM1-94
ASTM D 3171 Method II
15 Msi
90° Tensile Cured Fibre Volume*
Vf
90° Tensile Strength
YT
30 MPa
4.4 Ksi
ISO 527-4
90° Tensile Modulus
ET22
7.3 GPa
1.1 Msi
ISO 527-4
90° Compressive Strength Fibre Volume*
Vf
90° Compressive Strength
YC
90° Compressive Modulus Fibre Volume*
Vf
51.8 %
SACMA SRM1-94
ASTM D 3171 Method II
50.4 %
188 MPa
ASTM D 3171 Method II
27 Ksi
50.4 %
7.5 GPa
SAMCA SRM1-94
ASTM D 3171 Method II
90° Compressive Modulus
Ec22
1.1 Msi
0° Flexural Fibre Volume*
Vf
0° Flexural Strength
Xf
1103 MPa
160 Ksi
ISO 14125
0° Flexural Modulus
EF11
89 GPa
13 Msi
ISO 14125
52.5 %
SACMA SRM1-94
ASTM D 3171 Method II
±45° In-Plane Shear Fibre Volume
Vf
±45° In-Plane Shear Strength

59 MPa
8.5 Ksi
ISO 14129
±45° In-Plane Shear Modulus
G12
4.1 GPa
0.60 Msi
ISO 14129
±45° In-Plane Shear Poisson’s Ratio

0.55 μm/m
0° ILSS Fibre Volume*
Vf
54.8 %
0° ILSS
XILSS
50.0 %
77 MPa
ASTM D 3171 Method II
ISO 14129
ASTM D 3171 Method II
11 Ksi
ISO 14130
* Original fibre volume fraction
PDS-PRIME 180-4-0617
3
TRANSPORT & STORAGE
The system should be kept in securely closed containers during transport and
storage. Storage should be in a dry place out of direct sunlight. The temperature
should be between 18°C and 25°C. Containers should be firmly closed. The
hardener, in particular, will suffer serious degradation if left exposed to moisture
or high humidity environments.
This product does not require to be transported frozen
SHELF LIFE
MATERIAL
STORAGE TEMP
UNIT
VALUE
PRIME™ 180 Resin
+21°C
+70°F
months
18
PRIME™ 180 Hardener
+21°C
+70°F
months
18
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Please refer to product SDS for up to date information specific to this product.
NOTICE
All advice, instruction or recommendation is given in good faith but the Company
only warrants that advice in writing is given with reasonable skill and care. No
further duty or responsibility is accepted by the Company. All advice is given
subject to the terms and conditions of sale (the Conditions) which are available on
request from the Company or may be viewed at the Company’s Website:
www.gurit.com/terms-and-conditions.aspx.
The Company strongly recommends that Customers make test panels and
conduct appropriate testing of any goods or materials supplied by the Company to
ensure that they are suitable for the Customer’s planned application. Such testing
should include testing under conditions as close as possible to those to which the
final component may be subjected. The Company specifically excludes any
warranty of fitness for purpose of the goods other than as set out in writing by the
Company. The Company reserves the right to change specifications and prices
without notice and Customers should satisfy themselves that information relied on
by the Customer is that which is currently published by the Company on its
website. Any queries may be addressed to the Technical Services Department.
Gurit are continuously reviewing and updating literature. Please ensure that you
have the current version, by contacting Gurit Marketing Communications or your
sales contact and quoting the revision number in the bottom right-hand corner of
this page.
E [email protected]
All trademarks used or mentioned in this document are protected by law.
PDS-PRIME 180-4-0617
W www.gurit.com
4