Six10 is a two-part thickened epoxy adhesive in a convenient, self-metering cartridge. For permanent, waterproof, structural gap filling and gluing.
Six10 Adhesive is a two-part epoxy gel adhesive that provides strength and reliability with the convenience of a single-part product. The self-metering coaxial cartridge dispenses a gap-filling structural epoxy that bonds tenaciously to wood, metals, fibreglass and concrete. The tube comes with a static mixer that lets you lay down a bead of thickened epoxy with any standard caulking gun.
Values from the ATL Six10 Technical Data Sheet. See technical data for full cured and uncured properties.
Six10 features
WEST SYSTEM® Six10® Thickened Epoxy Adhesive is packaged in a specially designed, self-metering cartridge. This innovative container provides many useful features:
The cartridge works by utilising the movement of the piston to dispense the resin and hardener from separate chambers simultaneously. The moulded chambers and passageways accurately control the ratio and prevent the resin and hardener from contacting each other until they are outside the cartridge.
Handling
Experienced WEST SYSTEM users are familiar with the handling characteristics of 105 Epoxy Resin®-based epoxy thickened with 406 Colloidal Silica Filler that allows it to be non-sagging, yet trowel easily. Six10 Adhesive provides the same handling properties right out of the cartridge but achieves it with shear thinning, a property that allows the viscosity of the adhesive to become lower when a shear force is applied.
A shear force is applied when the epoxy is mixed or spread out over a surface, which causes the viscosity of the Six10 to become lower, resulting in a “thinner” consistency. When you are done applying or mixing Six10 and it is no longer being worked, or “sheared,” it will start to increase in viscosity and develop a thicker consistency.
This shear-thinning property enables Six10 to be easily dispensed out of the coaxial cartridge and through the static mixer and then tooled smoothly into a fillet that won’t sag during the cure cycle. The shear-thinning property also enables Six10 to be used for wetting out light to moderate weight reinforcing fabrics such as fibreglass and carbon fibre. This feature makes the product convenient for performing small fibreglass boat repairs.
Fabric wet-out: if you use a stiff plastic spreader, Six10 can wet out any fibreglass fabric lighter than approximately 400 g/m² (12 oz/yd²) as a result of its shear-thinning characteristics.
The physical properties of WEST SYSTEM Six10 were developed to ensure good adhesion in many applications. Six10 will create a fibreglass laminate much closer to 105 Resin epoxy laminate properties. Six10 will wet out fabrics up to approximately 400 g/m² (12 oz/yd²). For heavier fabrics, a 105 Resin-based epoxy with its low viscosity should be used to ensure thorough fabric wet-out.
Application
Six10 bonds to wood, fibreglass, metals and masonry. With the 600 Static Mixer (included) you can dispense fully mixed adhesive right where you need it using a standard caulking gun. See the convenient, self-metering cartridge in use.
Trim the mixer tip to suit your job:
| Tip opening (diameter) | Bead of adhesive, approx. |
|---|---|
| 6.4 mm (1/4″) | 4.6 linear metres (15 ft) |
| 3.2 mm (1/8″) | 22.9 linear metres (75 ft) |
Six10 cures to a solid state in 5–6 hours and reaches full cure in 24 hours at 25°C.
The WEST SYSTEM 600 Static Mixer that comes with the Six10 epoxy cartridge blends the resin and hardener as it passes through the device. Often, you’ll apply some epoxy to your work surface and proceed with assembly. While you’re working, the adhesive in the mixer will eventually begin to cure. You should have about 42 minutes before you need to dispense more epoxy.
Six10 stays workable in the static mixer for 42 minutes, making it practical for long or complicated assemblies. The hardener provides a long open time but has fast through cure.
With the 600 Static Mixer attached to the Six10 cartridge, it’s easy to lay down a bead of thickened epoxy adhesive right where you need it. The consistency of Six10 Adhesive is perfect for fillets.
Caulking gun: Six10 fits into a standard caulking gun. It is not to be used with a pneumatic caulking gun.
Repair guide
Open blisters with a small abrasive tool like 3M’s Roloc™ 50 mm (2″) diameter sanding disc with 60-grit sandpaper. Make sure you have removed the entire blister, including the edges of the blister dome.
Wipe the cavity clean with an alcohol prep pad or paper towels that have been soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Be generous with the alcohol and change towels frequently so the contaminants are removed rather than spread. Repeat the alcohol wipe process and allow the laminate to dry to the touch. It is particularly important to repeat the alcohol wipe on blisters that were fluid-filled at the time they were ground away.
Fill the cavities with Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive dispensed through the static mixing wand.
Spread the Six10 Adhesive flush with the surrounding hull with a wide putty knife or plastic spreader. Avoid overfilling the cavities because Six10 is difficult to sand.
Wet sand with 80–120-grit wet/dry sandpaper or wash with water (no soap, no ammonia) and sand dull with 100-grit sandpaper. If you are using Six10 in warm conditions, you should be able to wet sand and bottom paint later the same day. If you’re working in cooler temperatures, allow the epoxy to cure overnight before sanding.
The final step is applying your choice of bottom paint to complete this fast blister repair job.
This method is recommended for minor, isolated blister repairs. Extensive damage due to osmotic blisters should be repaired following the instructions starting in Section 9 of the WEST SYSTEM Fiberglass Boat Repair and Maintenance Manual.
Storage
From Epoxyworks Issue 27.
Technical data
From the ATL Six10 Technical Data Sheet.
| Pot life | 100 g @ 25°C (in air) | 42 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum recommended temperature | 10°C | |
| Cured to solid state | @ 25°C | 5–6 hours |
| Full cure | @ 25°C | 24 hours |
| Specific gravity of cured system | 1.18 | |
| Shore D hardness | 2 weeks | 80 |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) | After 2 weeks @ 25°C | 52°C |
| Resin | Hardener | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical state | Greyish-white gel | Amber gel |
| Mix ratio | 2 parts resin : 1 part hardener, by volume |
|---|---|
| KA610 | 180 ml cartridge |
| 600-2 | Static mixers (2-pack) |
Six10 resin and hardener will keep for 2 years if kept in original containers at room temperature (15°C to 32°C), and out of direct sunlight.
Six10 resin and hardener have moderate sensitising potential and should be kept out of the eyes and off the skin. Read the product label and safety data sheet before use.
Guide only. Refer to the current technical data sheet for full product specifications and suitability.
WEST SYSTEM Six10
Need help choosing the right epoxy for your project? Contact ATL Composites on +61 7 5563 1222 or [email protected].
WEST SYSTEM®, Six10® and 105 Epoxy Resin® are registered trademarks of Gougeon Brothers, Inc., USA. Roloc™ is a trademark of 3M.
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