GENEQ > Materials testing > Metallography

Castable Mounting
 

 

Description
Castable resins are monomer resins which utilize a catalyst or hardener for polymerization.
Polymerization results in cross-linking of the polymer to form a relatively hard mount. Castable resins also have the advantage of simultaneously mounting multiple samples at one time for increased throughput.

Characteristics of Castable Acrylics
  • Rapid mounting
  • Very repeatable and consistent mounts
  • Moderate shrinkage
  • Good hardness
  • Semi-transparent
  • High odor

Standard Curing Epoxy
Cat. No. Description Quantity
PTEP-3000-32
PTEP-3000-128		 Epoxy Resin 32 oz (0.95l)
1 gallon (3.8l)
PTEH-3000-08
PTEH-3000-32		 Epoxy hardener 8 oz (0.24l)
32 oz (0.95l)
PTED-3000-01 1-gallon pump dispenser each

Fast Curing
Cat. No. Description Quantity
PTEPF-3000-32
PTEPF-3000-128		 QUICMOUNT 2 fast epoxy resin 32 oz (0.95l)
1 gallon (3.8l)
PTEHF-3000-08
PTEHF-3000-32		 QUICMOUNT 2 fast hardener 8 oz (0.24l)
32 oz (0.95l)

Low Viscosity Curing Epoxy
Cat. No. Description Quantity
PTULTRA-3000-32
PTULTRA-3000-128		 ULTRATHIN 2 low viscosity
epoxy resin		 32 oz (0.95l)
1 gallon (3.8l)
PTULTRA-3000-08
PTULTRA-3000-32		 ULTRATHIN 2 low viscosity
hardener		 8 oz (0.24l)
32 oz (0.95l)

Low Viscosity Curing Epoxy
Cat. No. Description Quantity
PTAK-5000 CASTAMOUNT Acrylic resin
kit (includes mixing cups,
stirrer and several molds)		 1 lb resin
12 oz hardener
PTAR-5000-P1
PTAR-5000-P5
PTAR-5000-P25
PTAR-5000-P100		 CASTMOUNT Acrylic resin
pow		 1lb (454 gms)
5 lbs (2.2 kg)
25 lbs
100 lbs
PTAH-5000-H12
PTAH-5000-H32
PTAH-5000-H64
PTAH-5000-H128
PTAH-5000-H640		 CASTAMOUNT Acrylic hardener
(liquid)		 12 oz (0.36 l)
32 oz
1/2 gallon
1 gallon
5 gallons

Castamount Acrylic
Cat. No. Description Quantity
PTPAK-5000 PREMIUM Acrylic resin kit (includes mixing cups, stirrer and several molds) 1 lb resin
12 oz hardener
PTPAR-5000-P1
PTPAR-5000-P5
PTPAR-5000-P25
PTPAR-5000-P100		 PREMIUM Acrylic resin powder 1lb (454 gms)
5 lbs (2.2 kg)
25 lbs
100 lbs
PTPAH-5000-H12
PTPAH-5000-H32
PTPAH-5000-H64
PTPAH-5000-H128
PTPAH-5000-H640		 PREMIUM Acrylic hardener (liquid) 12 oz (0.36 l)
32 oz
1/2 gallon
1 gallon
5 gallons

Supermount Acrylic
Cat. No. Description Quantity
PTGKAK-5000 Glass Filled Acrylic resin kit (black)(includes mixing cups,
stirrer and several molds)		 1 lb resin
12 oz hardener
PTGRAR-5000-P1
PTGRAR-5000-P5
PTGRAR-5000-P25
PTGRAR-5000-P100		 PREMIUM Acrylic resin powder 1lb (454 gms)
5 lbs (2.2 kg)
25 lbs
100 lbs
PTGRAH-5000-H12
PTGRAH-5000-H32
PTGRAH-5000-H64
PTGRAH-5000-H128
PTGRAH-5000-H640		 PREMIUM Acrylic hardener (liquid) 12 oz (0.36 l)
32 oz
1/2 gallon
1 gallon
5 gallons

Characteristics of Epoxy Resins
  • Low shrinkage
  • Relatively clear
  • Relatively low exotherms
  • Excellent adhesion
  • Excellent chemical resistance
  • Good hardness
  • Relatively inexpensive

Characteristics of Polyester Castable Resins
  • Very clear (water clear)
  • High odor
  • Best resin system for making large castings

    Polyester resins are similar to acrylics and can be submerged into water during the curing cycle in order to reduce the exotherm temperature and shrinkage.

Polyester Catalyst Mixing Ratios (Proportions are based on ambient and resin temperature of 70°F)
Single Layer Casting
(metallographic)		 Multiple Layer Casting
(display)
Layer Thickness Drops of catalyst
per ounce of resin		 Layer Drops of catalyst
per ounce of resin
1/8" 15 1st layer 5
1/4" 8 2nd layer 4
1/2" 6 3rd layer 3
3/4" 5 4th layer 2
1" - 1-1/2" 4 5th layer or more 2

Polyster Clear Resin
Cat. No. Description Quantity
POLYCAST-128 Polyster Resin 1 gallon (3.8l)
POLYHARD-02 Polyster Hardener 2 oz
EYE-1000 Polyster dye kit each3 colors/pkg