Filler Size Applications?

[76SeaRay]

In searching for materials to make my first batch of peanut butter and using Frisco Boater's approach (chopped fiber for strength and milled fiber for thickening), I find chopped fibers in 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 inch and milled fibers in 1/32 inch and 1/16 inch. What are the correct applications or uses of each size as I didn't see anything in the sticky about sizes?

Thanks

 

[todhunter]

My understanding is that chopped and milled fibers are the same thing. I use 1/4 chopped/milled fiber for strength and fumes silica (aka cabosil) to thicken. Chopped fibers alone will not thicken the resin enough.

 

[76SeaRay]

I'll watch the video again as I thought Frisco Boater said milled fibers to thicken. I do have some cabosil but that seems to be pretty expensive way to thicken with that...

 

[Scott Danforth]

I always mixed both chopped fibers and fumed silica (cabosil)

I also use the fumed silica to make thickened resin for non-skid

 

[JASinIL2006]

Chopped fiber and Cabosil. The Cabosil is essential for thickening.

 

[KJM]

Fumed silica is great stuff and does work but I too found it a bit expensive. As for the glass fibers, you can't buy it loose here so I just cut CSM into narrow strips and mix it into the resin and it all breaks apart into fibers when you stir it in. I watched Frisco too and he did say the resin starts to thicken up with just fibers but not enough to use that alone. I've read that a lot of people use real fine wood "flour" from sanding i guess. I've actually read about using real flour but I wouldn't recommend it! There is a product that uses microscopic glass spheres apparently but I can't get that here either. Personally I've gone over to using talc and for thickening it works fine but a lot of people will say it will soak up water so don't take my word for it!

 

[todhunter]

Cabosil is expensive? Where are yall looking? US Composites is under $25 for a 4-gallon bucket.

 

[KJM]

Up here I paid almost 40 (38) for a one gallon paint can full and that was loosely packed! If I could get it at your price there would be no contest!

 

[jbcurt00]

Fumed silica is great stuff and does work but I too found it a bit expensive. As for the glass fibers, you can't buy it loose here so I just cut CSM into narrow strips and mix it into the resin and it all breaks apart into fibers when you stir it in. I watched Frisco too and he did say the resin starts to thicken up with just fibers but not enough to use that alone. I've read that a lot of people use real fine wood "flour" from sanding i guess. I've actually read about using real flour but I wouldn't recommend it! There is a product that uses microscopic glass spheres apparently but I can't get that here either. Personally I've gone over to using talc and for thickening it works fine but a lot of people will say it will soak up water so don't take my word for it!

You want to avoid wood & other flour if using polyester resin

 

[todhunter]

Up here I paid almost 40 (38) for a one gallon paint can full and that was loosely packed! If I could get it at your price there would be no contest!

You can - www.uscomposites.com