How important is accurate post cure temperature for Epoxy and Urethane products?
Some Epoxy and Urethane products require post cure in order to develop full strength. There is usually a temperature and a specific length of time specified by the manufacturer for the post cure. These compounds are usually in a “brittle state” just prior to the post cure process and will crack if subjected to mechanical shock or extreme temperature differences. The post cure temperatures are usually specified on the technical data sheet covering the epoxy or urethane compound. The parts must reach this temperature to complete the chemical reaction and develop full properties. Some ovens are not uniform in temperature due to “zoning”. This means that some epoxy or urethane parts, in one area of the post cure oven, will be subjected to lower temperatures while in other areas of the oven, the temperature will be higher than specified or what is indicated on the controller. These temperature differences could account for various problems in the cured properties of an epoxy or urethane com
