A-STONE polymer gypsum (two-component)

Processing technology

1. Weigh the two components, component A (resin) and component B (hardener), in the correct proportions. Then pour the powder into the resin, i.e. add the filler, as described, in portions, stirring all the time. It is recommended to use E-CUPSTONE GYPSUM BLENDERS. Mixing by hand may not be sufficient, so a drill with a high-speed mixer is recommended. The mixing speed should be around 700 revolutions per minute to create a vortex and break up the fine lumps.
   The mixing procedure should proceed as follows:
   a) Mix the liquids, i.e. component A (resin) and pigments, for 15 to 30 seconds.
   (b) Continue mixing, slowly adding the powder (Component B) to the liquid.
   (c) Continue mixing until all the lumps are broken up and the consistency becomes creamy.
   (d) Allow the mixture to stand for a while to remove air bubbles. If the mixture is too aerated, it may be necessary to use a vacuum chamber to remove air bubbles. The absence of air bubbles is important to obtain the correct cross-sectional structure of the casting and the surface texture.
   (e) It is not recommended to process A-STONE at temperatures below 10°C.
   
   Please note that exact proportions and mixing times may vary depending on the specific A-STONE product. It is always worth consulting the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
2.  Once you have mixed the two ingredients and poured the mould with A-STONE, you will notice a minimal rise in temperature and a fairly rapid thickening of the mixture. It's worth remembering that A-STONE is a system that cures quickly, so you don't have much time for operations. If you want to extend your working time, you can use retarder from e-cupstone, ranging from 0.5% to a maximum of 5%. The use of retarder can increase the working time from 8-15 minutes to as much as 100 minutes. However, excessive amounts of this additive should be avoided, and it should be remembered that the operating time also depends on ambient conditions such as temperature and humidity.
3. The time it takes to unmould castings depends on their size, but practically, once the casting has had time to cool sufficiently, it can be removed from the mould. This process usually takes between 40 minutes and 1.5 hours.
   
   The nature of the mould-side casting surface largely depends on the type of mould surface. For example, if the silicone mould has a glossy surface, the casting from A-STONE will also have a glossy surface. Conversely, if the silicone mould has a matt surface, the casting will be matt. Because the powder hardener is also a mineral filler, the character of the casting surface resembles natural stone or gypsum. This is why acrylic systems such as A-STONE are often referred to as polymer gypsum, polymer stone or polymer concrete.