I think this question is geared more towards Mike than Larry, although Larry, you may know the answer to this. I am making some lures where I'm encapsulating lead with the Flex 70 casting resin. I've used various other Alumilite casting resins without incident, but the Flex 70 seems to be VERY temperamental as far as curing. It doesn't seem to like dyes or powders mixed in with the resin (even in small quantities). I use a digi scale that measures down to hundreds of an ounce, as well as grams- so I know my A and B portions are identical. The resin starts to cure, and even changes from translucent to opaque. But after 24 hours (which is the recommended cure/demold time) it remains tacky, and I can still tear it. It's hit and miss though! That's what I find baffling about it! Sometimes it cures perfectly, and other times it ends up in the aforementioned state. When the product doesn't cure right, it's a TOTAL WASTE, and I have to cut it off of the lead core and re-pour a new batch. When I'm using 30 grams of each A and B on each pour, and I have to toss it out, I get very frustrated. The product isn't exactly cheap. The ONLY THING I can think of that I might be doing wrong is warming up the A and B in a warm water bath prior to mixing (for about 5 minutes). I keep the product stored in my garage (in San Diego, Ca), so it's not freezing cold. It's between 50 and 60 degrees. I thought (and this may be ignorance on my part, and may even be the answer to my question) that the product would cure better if I brought it up to between 85 and 90 degrees, then mixed it. When it's cooler, it's very viscous. When I warm it up a bit, the viscosity changes to a little thinner and makes it easier for me to shake it well (which I always do prior to mixing). So guys, and ideas as to why this is happening? Do you think I got a bad batch of product? I know that no water is getting into the product either, and there's no moisture in my silicone mold. I know this for a FACT. Thanks in advance for your replies.
Scott