PREFILM

DATA SHEET

Prefilm is a dry coating for the delivery system. It is a mixture formed by graphite and epoxy resin. The
components are supplied in two separated units of 10 ounces of prefilm and 2 ounces of catalyst.

Prefilm is mostly used for dry delivery systems of glass bottle forming machinery.

ADVANTAGES

The coating is polymerized at room temperature (around 24C) in 6 hours. It is recommended to let it dry
during the night for optimal results.
Does not require to be put in the oven.
Once dry, it forms a hard and smooth layer.
Easy application and touch-up procedure.
Supplied in pre-measured units ready for mixing.

SURFACE PREPARATION

Oil, rust, grease, loose particles or other materials should be thoroughly removed from all surfaces to be coated.
It is recommended that the surface to be thoroughly degreased and sandblasted prior to the application of the
prefilm and catalyst mixture. Avoid finger marks or any other contamination of the cleaned surfaces before
coating.

MIXING

The prefilm must be completely mixed to form a homogenous paste before mixing with the Catalyst. This will re-
incorporate any settled material in the container. Add the Catalyst and maintain constant mixing until a uniform
and smooth mixture has been obtained. The process will require 2 to 4 minutes.

An alternative mixing procedure is to mix prefilm into a smooth paste and then add 1 ounce of trichloroethilene
for each 10 ounces of prefilm. This mixture should be stirred until a thinner and smoother paste with a lower
viscosity is obtained. Then the catalyst can be added to the mixture.

After mixing, the prefilm and Catalyst mixture is ready to be applied to the delivery systems equipment, which
must be done within a 20 to 30 minute's period. Curing begins with the mixing, showed by an exothermic
reaction. The mixture will thicken and harden after 30 minutes. The use of trichloroethilene, previously described,
may extend the curing time up to 45 minutes or 1 hour.
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DATA SHEET

APPLICATION

The prefilm and catalyst mixture can be applied with a brush. Experience indicates that a 2-inch
paintbrush with the bristles length cut in half can be used to apply the mixture onto the delivery
system components. It is not necessary to obtain a perfectly smooth surface, since brush marks and
slight variations in thickness wont cause any problem. Fast coating is necessary due to the 20 to 30
minutes mixture life (if trichloroethilene has not been added). After the delivery system components
have been coated, they should be allowed to air cure for a minimum of 6 hours, but preferably
overnight. The prefilm and catalyst system does not require heating or baking for final cure.

After hardening or curing at room temperature you will notice that the surface of the cured coating is
sticky, however, it will be hard at the base. This surface stickiness can be removed with water or with
a wet sponge. This leaves an extremely hard, dull black film. When using oven cure method, coating
does not require water rinse.

TOUCH-UP PROCEDURE

If touch-up is required on a worn out area, it is not necessary to remove for the entire coating. The
worn out area can be repaired by first cleaning with solvent, light sandpapering of the edges, and then
coating again the area with the prefilm and Catalyst mixture. Vapor degreasing will soften the coating
and must be avoided.

COATING REMOVAL

The prefilm and catalyst coating can be removed passing the delivery system component through the
lehr or other heating device. This will deteriorate the coating so that steel wool or glass bead blasting
will remove it.

CLEAN UP

Clean the paintbrush immediately after use and before curing. Use an organic cleaning solvent.

Hands can be washed with abrasive soap and warm water.

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DATA SHEET

SPECIFICATIONS

A two-component system ready to be mixed.

PREFILM

Appearance Black smooth semi-paste

Composition Graphite suspended in an unreacted epoxy resin
Density, pounds per gallon 11.70
Specific Gravity 1.37
Storage Stability Good. Used within one year

CATALYST

Appearance Free flowing heavy liquid

Color Pale yellow
Composition Epoxy reactant amine catalyst
Density, pounds per gallon 8.40
Flash Point, C 93
Specific Gravity 1.03
Maintain in closed container
Storage Stability
Will self-polymerize on exposure to air