From: Lee Devlin Subject: Q-Cell and Microballons Date: Tue, 16 May 95 16:21:32 MDT I was going to order some microballons from Alexander today. They informed me that they no longer carry microballoons and that all that is available is Q-Cell and glass bubbles. The person told me that Hexcel told them that Q-Cell is functionally equivalent to the microballoons (aka 3M B23/500) and that 3M has stopped making the microspheres. After checking through an old Wicks catalog, it seems that they recommended Q-Cell as filler for RAE epoxy and Microspheres for Saf-T-Poxy. I am using the new non-MDA 2427 so perhaps either will work properly. I seem to remember that the Saf-T-Poxy had a solvent that disolved Q-Cell so perhaps that's why the recommended filler was changed to microballons. Anyone have the straight scoop on this one? Thanks, Lee Devlin From: Lee Devlin Subject: Re: Q-Cell and Microballoons Date: Wed, 17 May 95 14:44:48 MDT I called Wicks today and was informed that they had the 3M B23/500 in stock and were unaware of any decision on 3M's part to stop manufacturing it. They were already aware that Alexander had stopped stocking them and were recommending Q-Cell as a replacement as they had received several inquiries about it. On a side note, the guy I talked to from Aircraft Spruce didn't know where they got their glass bubbles from but assured me they were good for whatever I wanted to use them for. I looked at Chapter 2 of the manual last night and found out why Q-Cell is not recommended. BTW, it specifically spells out that only 3M B23/500 microballoons should be used with Safe-T-Poxy. It states that because of the high alkalinity of Q-Cell, the cure is delayed by as much as 2 or 3 days and this would be unacceptable for finishing purposes. It didn't say anything about disolving the Q-Cell so I apologize if I misled anyone with my first posting on the subject. So, I placed my order for 5 gallons of the 3M B23/500 microballoons with Wicks and perhaps I'll have some left over that I can sell to the highest bidder if what Alexander Aeroplane says is true. Lee Devlin Date: Fri, 10 Nov 1995 08:15:31 -0600 From: tims@enet.net (Tim Sullivan) Subject: Helpful hint When I attended the composites class a few months ago at alexander aircraft, I picked up a tip from one of the students. Terry Shubert (now where have I heard that name before) showed us how to spread flox and micro better than using a paint brush. 1. Mix your flox or micro in the cup as usual. 2. Take a 1 foot square of saran wrap and place it flat on the table. 3. Pour you micro/flox in the center of the saran wrap. 4. Fold the saran wrap in half and gather up the edges to form a cake decorater type of bag. 5. Use a small nail to poke a hole into the section with the micro/flox. Make sure not to tear the saran wrap or the hole will just keep getting larger. 6. Use this bag like a cake decorater to put a nice bead of flox/micro down on your surface. You can even force the flow into small areas like caulking. If you tear the saran wrap at any point you can grab a nother piece and double wrap your first then poke a new hole. No fuss no muss. Hope that's helpful. Tim Sullivan (tims@enet.net) Phoenix, AZ | * | Cozy MK IV Builder #470 |-----(/)-----| The journey begins 8/10/95 / \ Current Status: Ch 6 o o