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Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy
By:Paul G. Jacobson
Date: 4/24/2002, 11:19 pm
In Response To: Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy (Jamin)

: thank You for the info I'll probably buy some.
: I still want to know can you glue copper with epoxy?

Yes. But why? If you want to glue copper you can use cheaper resins, and soldering is strong and faster. Clean the copper well and you'll get a fairly strong bond, which like most glue joints will depend a lot on the surface area covered by the adhesive. I believe epoxy is used to hold the copper face onto some printed circuit boards. For a strong bond you want lots of surface area.

The big experience I know of with epoxy and copper has been in electronics. And other resins, like polyester resin, work about as well. Epoxy has other uses in electronics, too. It serves as an insulator, holds together some Integrated circuit chips, and has been used over the years as a "potting" material. (in this process an entire circuit is assembled, and then the whole thing is cast into a solid block of resin that is weatherproof and highly durable.)

If you are thinking of using epoxy to glue on a strip of copper, I think that you won't have a large enough surface area to give a strong enough bond. It may take only a few bumps to start to dislodge the copper. Small screws will work better, and the usual strips for protecting boats are made from a stronger material than plain copper, usually a copper alloy like bronze, which is also more resistant to corrosion.

If you are planning to bury the copper under a layer of glass cloth you will be able to trap the copper strip in place a bit better, but you'll still have the outside layer made of glass cloth -- and that will wear through just as fast as the glass cloth you are wearing through now.

Either consider many layers of epoxy and fabric (glass, dynel, spectra, dacron, polyolefin, nylon or something like that), or apply a brass or bronze strip, or put on an easily replaceable "grunge" strip of wood, which will serve as a buffer,m or use a bottom coating that is tougher than plain epoxy. Some people like to mix finely powdered aluminum or graphite into their epoxy for a final coat. they claim that it makes the final coats of resin much tougher.

hope this helps

PGJ

Messages In This Thread

Epoxy: copper under epoxy
Jamin -- 4/23/2002, 10:13 am
Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy *Pic*
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 4/23/2002, 2:28 pm
Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy
Patsy -- 5/3/2002, 10:51 am
In Seattle, ...
Pete Roszyk -- 5/2/2002, 11:21 pm
Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy
Jamin -- 4/24/2002, 1:51 pm
Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy
Paul G. Jacobson -- 4/24/2002, 11:19 pm
Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy
Jay Babina -- 4/23/2002, 11:13 am
Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy
Rich D -- 4/23/2002, 11:11 am
Re: Epoxy: copper under epoxy
David Hanson -- 4/23/2002, 11:10 am