Emecole's surface seal, Emecole 901, is designed to give a soft, creamy, easy-to-mix consistency, even at low temperatures. Its thixotropic paste consistency, while soft, will not sag even when hot from its curing process (exothermic reaction during cure).

At room temperature (55-85F), Emecole 901 will exhibit a working life of 6-8 minutes. At these temperatures, it is best to mix parts A& B thoroughly for one to two minutes and immediately begin to apply to the surface. This is especially relevant in the summer months where the components may be at 75-95 F, and the product will be setting up in the mixing vessels within four to seven minutes after mixing. Under these circumstances, the surface should be ready for injection two hours after E901 was originally mixed.

It is also recommended that if one mix is sufficient to prepare the crack, prepare the crack planning on setting the bottom port last (or the port which will be first used in the epoxy injection). If more than one mix is needed to prepare the crack, use the first mix to prepare the section that will be first used in epoxy injection.

For example, consider a crack on a vertical surface. Typically, the injection process will begin at the bottom of the crack, and working one’s way up the crack. If it is going to take less than five to six minutes to do the setting of ports and sealing the surface, begin applying E901 at the top of the crack and plan on setting the bottom port last. If it is going to take two or more mixes to seal the crack, begin setting the section with the first mix planning to finish this batch with the setting of the bottom port. Then continue to complete the sealing of the crack above this section with the subsequent mix(es).

The reason for the above technique(s) is that the longer the material is in the mixing container before being applied to the surface (which typically is at a temperature of 40-70 F) the more heat it is dedeveloping. As a result, the last material applied to the surface will harden the fastest. Using this technique should assure that the material on the surface closest to the port(s) where injection will be initiated to be the most advanced in the curing process. Furthermore, if the surface is cool to cold (which would slow the hardening process); the material has had more time to initiate its hardening period. The procedure is particularly recommended in the colder months.