Boat Building Forum

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Non-allergenic epoxies?
By:Doug Kuik
Date: 5/19/2000, 7:16 pm

I posted a message earlier which gave a link to Aircraft Spruce & Specialties online catalog. That link is to a source of epoxy named E-Z Poxy made by Composite Design Co.

E-Z Poxy is almost an exact reproduction of an epoxy which sold for 20 (twenty) years under the name Safe-T-Poxy.

Safe-T-Poxy was used extensivly in the homebuilt aircraft industry in structural applications such as landing gear mounts and (inside) fuel tanks without any known structural failures due to it's use. And yes it is an "epoxy" chemicaly (Ian)! Hexcel, the manufacturer of Safe-T-Poxy claimed the product was non-allergenic although some people have developed allergic reactions to it over the 20 years it was manufactured. One company discontinued using it because they said it had a known carcinogen.

Many people who had developed allergic reactions to other epoxies began using Safe-T-Poxy and their allergic reactions ended.

Safe-T-Poxy was sold with several high quality homebuilt aircraft kits includeing Burt Rutan's designs and the fastest non-production prop-driven aircraft in the world the Lancair (at close to 400 MPH). It has a better track record than most other epoxies.

Like all epoxies, it has it's own somewhat unique properties and nuances. It wets out glass well, is somewhat low viscosity, but is a dark amber color.

Check out the links below for some more info.

One of the links below is a message from someone who contacted an epoxy manufacturer who told them the sensitivities are to the amines in the hardener which are released in the reaction (blush out of the epoxy as it cures) and that milk thisle could control the sensitivity to the amines. He claimes it worked!

http://www.ez.org/cp36-p3.htm

http://www.canard.com/cp/cp22/cp22-15.html

http://www.mail-archive.com/lancair.list@olsusa.com/msg03278.html

http://www.ez.org/cp84-p4.htm