LOW VISCOSITY, 100% REACTIVE, ROOM TEMPERATURE CURE BASIC EPOXY CASTING RESIN
METACAST 401 is a very low viscosity, general purpose epoxy capropersting resin with excellent electrical and physical properties. A selection of curing agents may be used in conjunction with METACAST 401 to provide systems offering a variety of working conditions and end results to suit the requirements of particular applications.
The low viscosity of this standardized 100% reactive epoxy resin allows incorporation of optimum amounts of fillers for the control of shrinkage, the improvement of thermal conductivity, and the reduction of thermal expansion.
The fully cured basic systems are suitable for general purpose applications such as casting, potting, laminating, encapsulating, bonding and sealing.
METACAST 401 is available in a series of standard filler systems and may be compounded with special fillers and colors, or to special viscosities as required by a particular application.
METACAST 5448 is available with a choice of curing agents:
TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF LIQUID METACAST 401
| Appearance | Amber, mobile liquid |
| Viscosity @ 25°C (cps) | 700 |
| Specific Gravity, 25°/25°C | 1.13 |
| Epoxide Value (Equiv./100g) | 0.53 |
| Storage Life @ 25°C | 6 months |
PROPERTIES OF UNCURED LIQUID/HARDENER MIXTURES
| PROTAVIC HARDENER | CASTING RESIN SYSTEM DESIGNATION | MIXING RATIO (PHR) PARTS HARDENER PER 100 METACAST BY WEIGHT |
MIXING RATIO (PHR) PARTS HARDENER PER 100 METACAST BY VOLUME |
INITIAL VISCOSITY (CPS, @ 25°C) | POT LIFE MINUTES, 200 G MASS | MAXIMUM EXOTHERM (°C) |
| #6 | 401/6 | 12 | 13 | 400 | 45 | 125 |
| #12 | 401/12 | 13.3 | 15.5 | 500 | 20 | 150 |
| #25 | 401/25 | 20 | 20 | 2000 | 25 | 200 |
RECOMMENDED CURE SCHEDULES
Any one of the following cure schedules is recommended
| PROTAVIC HARDENER #6 | PROTAVIC HARDENER #12 | PROTAVIC HARDENER #25 |
| 24 hrs. @ 25°C | 24 hrs. @ 25°C | 14 to 24 hrs. @ 25°C |
| 2 hrs. @ 100°C | 5 hrs. @ 40°C | 2 hrs. @ 60°C |
| 1 hr. @ 120°C | 2 hrs. @ 60°C |
Post-curing is recommended for attaining maximum properties
PROPERTIES OF FULLY CURED METACAST 401 RESIN SYSTEMS*
| PROTAVIC SYSTEM NO. | 401/6 | 401/12 | 401/25 |
| Specific Gravity (25°C) | 1.19 | 1.21 | 1.19 |
| Heat Distortion Temp. (°C) | 76 | 80 | 80 |
| Tensile Strength (psi) | 6000 | 9000 | 8000 |
| Compressive Strength (psi) | 16000 | 16000 | 18000 |
| Flexural Strength (psi) | 11000 | 12000 | 18000 |
| Hardness (Shore D) | 70 | 75 | 75 |
| Shrinkage (%) | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion x 105/°C | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.6 |
| Moisture Absorption (24 hr. immersion, %) | 0.18 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Dielectric Strength (V/mil) | 480 | 430 | 450 |
| Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm x10-14 @ 25°C) | 2.0 | 4.0 | 0.60 |
| Dielectric Constant (103 Hz) | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Dissipation Factor (103 Hz) | 0.010 | 0.011 | 0.012 |
For many applications the use of filled resin bases upgrades the physical and electrical properties, and increases the versatility and the utility of the resin-hardener systems.
The physical characteristics of the four standardized filled bases of METACAST 401 are briefly described below. Specific properties of each system are listed in the applicable technical data brochure. The highly specialized dispersion technique developed by PROTAVIC to incorporate fillers is clearly evident in batch to batch uniformity of these filled resin bases as well as the retarded settling rate of the fillers on long term storage.
*All tests performed in accordance with accepted ASTM procedures. (Test samples post-cured 24 hrs. @ 60°C).
Either METACAST 401 or any of the filled bases are available in standard colors of natural tan, white, red, yellow, green, blue brown and black. Where special colors, other fillers and/or viscosities are required, filled bases of METACAST 401 can be compounded to user specifications.
| FILLER SYSTEM | CODE DESIGNATION | CHARACTERISTICS |
| Silica, Standard | 401-S | Reduction of shrinkage, improve- ment of Thermal Conductivity, lowering of Thermal Expansion. |
| Mica, Treated (Proprietary to PROTAVIC standards) | 401-VMA | Same as Standard Mica, very high resistance to moisture vapor (Proprietary to PROTAVIC standards) penetration. |
| Silica, Thixotropic (Proprietary to PROTAVIC standards) | 401-ST | Same as Standard Silica, slightly thixotropic, non-settling with aging |
| Proprietary Filler (to PROTAVIC standards) | 401-AP | Thixotropic, non-settling machineable filler of excellent electrical properties yet scratch resistant |
CLEAN-UP
METATERGE 1405 is recommended to replace hazardous solvents for general clean-up. METATERGE 1405, a unique water soluble resin detergent, dissolves uncured resin systems and renders them water compatible. Soiled equipment, tools or bench areas can then be simply cleaned with a wet sponge or shop rag. Refer to Data Bulletin.
Technical information and recommendations made by Protavic America, Inc. concerning products and uses or applications thereof, are based on reliable laboratory tests and are believed to be accurate. No warranty, however, is expressed or implied, nor is any warranty expressed or implied as to results to be obtained from use of said materials, whether used singly or in combination with other products. No statements made are to be construed as constituting a license under any existing patent.