Product Information

AIRSTONE™ Laminating System

AIRSTONE 720E Epoxy Resin
AIRSTONE 723H Hardener
AIRSTONE 728H Hardener

Description The AIRSTONE™ Laminating System consists of an epoxy resin and two amine
hardeners with very low viscosities and different pot lives. For longer pot life,
AIRSTONE 728H Hardener can be used. For increased reactivity and a shorter
pot life, AIRSTONE 723H Hardener can be blended with AIRSTONE 728H
Hardener. Blending of the hardeners does not affect the mix ratio with the epoxy
resin and has a minimal effect on the performance properties. The low viscosity of
the resin system results in excellent fiber wetting. The fully cured system exhibits
excellent mechanical and thermal properties. The AIRSTONE Laminating System
is solvent-free and unfilled. The AIRSTONE Laminating System meets
Germanischer Lloyd (GL) requirements.

Applications This AIRSTONE Laminating System is designed for hand laminating components
for high static and dynamic loads and is fully compatible with glass, carbon and
aramid fiber reinforcements. This system is suitable for the manufacture, assembly
and repair of structural composites for the Wind Energy Industry such as:
 Wind Turbine Blades
 Turbine Nose Cones
 Generator Nacelles and Fairings

Typical Properties Property

(1)
AIRSTONE 720E AIRSTONE 723H AIRSTONE 728H
of System Epoxy Resin Hardener Hardener
Components Viscosity @ 25°C (mPa•s) 2350 70 20
ASTM D-445
Density @ 25°C (g/cc) 1.155 0.981 0.941
ASTM D-4052
(2)
Shelf Life (Months) 24 12 12
(1) These are typical values and should not be construed as specifications.
(2) See Packaging, Storage and Shelf Life section for details.

Mixing and The AIRSTONE Laminating System must be mixed in the following ratios:
Handling

AIRSTONE 720E AIRSTONE 723H AIRSONE 728H

Epoxy Resin Hardener Hardener
Parts by Weight 100 31 31
Parts by Volume 100 36.5 38

Accurate proportioning and thorough mixing are essential to achieve full

performance properties. Manually mix the resin and hardener components
together for approximately 2 minutes, while making sure to scrape the sides,
bottom, and corners of the mixing container. When automated meter mixing
equipment is used, it should be tested for accuracy on a regular basis.

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Page 1 of 6 AIRSTONE Laminating System Form No. 296-00000-0411
Mixing and The AIRSTONE™ 723H and 728H Hardeners and the mixed systems (epoxy resin
Handling and hardeners) are hygroscopic and any absorbed moisture will substantially
(continued) shorten the pot life of the system. This can be minimized by keeping containers of
amine hardeners and the mixed system covered while transferring, dispensing and
infusing. For large applications, it is a good practice to mix and use several small
batches rather than one large batch.

The epoxy resin and amine hardeners used in this system will readily react with
each other at ambient temperatures. This reaction is exothermic and, depending
on the mass, can result in a significant temperature rise or fire. The utmost care
must be taken to avoid inadvertent mixing of the system components. Refer to the
Safety and Handling section for additional information.

Gel Time AIRSTONE 720E Epoxy Resin with

AIRSTONE 723H Hardener AIRSTONE 728H Hardener
(1)
Gel Time (min) 55 550
(1) Shyodu Gel Timer, 100 grams @ 23°C

Glass Transition
Temperature
Development vs.
Time and
Temperature

AIRSTONE 720E
AIRSTONE 728H

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Page 2 of 6 AIRSTONE Laminating System Form No. 296-00000-0411
Glass Transition
Temperature
Development vs.
Time and
Temperature

AIRSTONE™ 720E
AIRSTONE 723H

Application and The recommended application conditions are between 20°C and 25°C with a
Curing Conditions maximum relative humidity (RH) of 70%. Higher temperatures will shorten the pot
life and lower temperatures will increase the viscosity, significantly affecting the
fiber wetting characteristics the system.

The following cure schedule is a typical starting point for most hand laminating
applications:

Step 1: 6 to 12 hours @ 20 to 35°C Initial Cure

Step 2: 7 to 10 hours @ 70°C Post-Cure

Cure schedules can be tailored to each application. Accordingly, times,

temperatures, and ramp rates should be adjusted such that the entire laminated
article receives sufficient heat history to attain full properties.

Mechanical AIRSTONE 720E Epoxy Resin cured with

Properties of Cured Property(1) AIRSTONE 723H AIRSTONE 728H
System Hardener Hardener
Tensile Peak Stress (Mpa) 79.4 72.2
Cured 7 hrs at 70°C Strain at Break (%) 7.8 7.7
Strain at Peak (%) 4.7 4.6
Tensile Modulus (GPa) 4.1 4.2
Max. Flexural Strength (MPa) 144 124
Flexural Modulus (GPa) 4.0 3.2
% Strain a break 7.7 10.0
1
DSC Tg , (°C) 82 84
(1) These are typical values and should not to be construed as specifications.
quir

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Page 3 of 6 AIRSTONE Laminating System Form No. 296-00000-0411
Safety and The Dow Chemical Company provides its customers with a product specific
Handling Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to cover potential
health effects, safe handling, storage, use and disposal information. Dow strongly
encourages its customers to review the MSDS or SDS on its products and other
materials prior to their use.

The reaction between epoxy resins and amine hardeners is exothermic and,
depending on the mass and starting temperature, can result in significant
temperature rise, smoke generation or fire. The epoxy/amine chemical reaction is
self sustaining and cannot be easily stopped. Therefore, the utmost care should be
taken to avoid mixing excessive quantities of epoxy resin and amine hardeners and
then leaving them unattended. In the event a large quantity of material is
inadvertently mixed, it is advised that the mass of the mixed resin system be
reduced and the surface area increased by pouring it into multiple containers or a
large shallow pan in order to reduce the potential temperature rise.

For further handling information on liquid epoxy resins consult the Dow brochure
entitled, DOW Epoxy Resins Product Stewardship Manual, Safe Handling and
Storage, Form No. 296-00312 and/or and the Dow technical, bulletin Product
Coding, Shelf-life and Storage Stability, Form No. 296-01657.

For further handling information on amine type hardeners consult the Dow
brochure entitled, DOW Epoxy Curing Agents Product Stewardship Manual, Safe
Handling and Storage, Form No. 296-01331 and/or the Dow technical bulletin,
Product Coding, Shelf-life and Storage Stability, Form No. 296-01657.

Packaging, The AIRSTONE™ 720E Epoxy Resin is supplied in bulk, 1000 kg intermediate bulk
Storage and Shelf containers (IBC) or 200 kg tight-head drums. The epoxy resin should retain its
Life chemical properties for at least 24 months when stored in a dry place in its original
closed packaging between 25°C and 35°C. For further storage information on liquid
epoxy resins consult the Dow technical bulletin, Product Coding, Shelf-life and
Storage Stability, Form No. 296-01657.

As with many liquid epoxy resins, AIRSTONE 720E Epoxy Resin may crystallize
during storage. The potential for crystallization can be minimized by storing the
resin in a controlled temperature environment between 25°C and 35°C. Crystallized
resin can be reconstituted by heating to 60°C. For further details see the Dow
technical bulletin, Crystallization of Liquid Epoxy Resins, Form No. 296-01652.

AIRSTONE 723H and AIRSTONE 728H Hardeners are supplied in 900 kg

intermediate bulk containers (IBC) or 200 kg tight-head drums. These hardeners
should retain their chemical properties for at least 12 months when stored in their
original closed packaging, in a cool, dry environment, away from direct sunlight and
at a temperature not over 25°C. If possible, provide nitrogen padding in the
headspace of opened containers and bulk storage facilities.

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Page 4 of 6 AIRSTONE Laminating System Form No. 296-00000-0411
Packaging, AIRSTONE™ 723H and AIRSTONE 728H Hardeners are hygroscopic and will
Storage and Shelf absorb moisture and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere if not stored properly. Be
Life (continued) sure to close containers immediately after use. The absorption of moisture and/or
carbon dioxide will affect the chemical behavior of the material and the
performance properties of the final product. See also the Dow brochure entitled,
Amine Blushing and Blooming of Epoxy Systems, Form No. 296-01656. In addition,
the reaction of amine hardeners with moisture and/or carbon dioxide will form a
white precipitate; usually around the opening of the container. This precipitate is
NOT soluble in the epoxy resin or the hardeners. To minimize the formation of this
white precipitate, care should be taken to wipe away excess liquid material from
around the opening of the container before closing it. To avoid contaminating the
contents of the container with precipitate that may have formed, remove the
precipitate BEFORE the container is opened.

Product The Dow Chemical Company has a fundamental concern for all who make,
Stewardship distribute, and use its products, and for the environment in which we live. This
concern is the basis of our Product Stewardship philosophy by which we assess
the health and environmental information on our products and then take the
appropriate steps to protect employee and public health and the environment. The
®
Dow Chemical Company has enduring commitments to Responsible Care in the
management of chemicals worldwide. Our Product Stewardship program rests with
every individual involved with Dow products from the initial concept and research to
the manufacture, sale, distribution, and disposal of each product.

Customer Notice This AIRSTONE Laminating Resin System is intended for use in the manufacture
of composites articles associated with the wind energy industry. The information
provided in this data sheet is intended to help the user achieve positive results. It
is the user’s responsibility to fully test and qualify the resin system, along with
ingredients, methods, applications, or equipment identified herein, by the user’s
knowledgeable formulator or scientist, and to determine the appropriate use
conditions and legal restrictions, prior to use of any information given in this data
sheet.

Dow encourages its customers and potential users of Dow products to review their
applications for such products from the standpoint of human health and
environmental quality. To help ensure that Dow products are not used in ways for
which they were not intended or tested, Dow personnel are available to assist
customers in dealing with ecological and product safety considerations. Your Dow
sales representative can arrange for the proper contacts. Dow literature, including
MSDS or SDS, should be consulted prior to the use of Dow products.

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® Responsible Care is a service mark of the American Chemistry Council in the United States

Page 5 of 6 AIRSTONE Laminating System Form No. 296-00000-0411

Medical Dow will not knowingly sell or sample any product or service (“Product”) into any
Application commercial or developmental application that is intended for:
Policy (a) permanent (long term) contact with internal body fluids or internal body tissues.
Long term is a use which exceeds 72 continuous hours (except 30 days for
PELLETHANE™ Polyurethane Elastomers);
(b) use in cardiac prosthetic devices regardless of the length of time involved
(cardiac prosthetic devices include, but are not limited to, pacemaker leads
and devices, artificial hearts, heart valves, intra-aortic balloons and control
systems and ventricular bypass assisted devices);
(c) use as a critical component in medical devices that support or sustain human
life; or
(d) use specifically by pregnant women or in applications designed specifically to
promote or interfere with human reproduction.

Additionally, all Products intended for use in pharmaceutical applications must pass
the then current Pharmaceutical Liability Guidelines. For additional information
please contact your regular Dow representative.

Food Contact This epoxy resin system is not intended for food or potable water contact
Applications applications.

If your applications include food contact requirements, please contact your Dow
representative for further information and forthcoming EC regulations.

Contact information: Notice: No freedom from any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Dow assumes no obligation or
North America: 800-441-4369 liability for the information in this document. The information provided herein is presented in good faith and is
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materials and makes no warranty, express or implied. The user of the information provided is solely
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Page 6 of 6 Form No. 296-00000-0411