HP-IMC | PU Topcoat for Negative Mould - In-Mould Coating
In-Mould Coating (IMC) is a specially developed polyurethane lacquer for the coating of fibre-reinforced plastic components in the negative mould.
HP-IMC forms covalent bonds with all epoxy laminating, infusion and topcoat resins from HP-Textiles, generating a bond with very high interlayer adhesion.
The coating is ideally suited for highly transparent carbon visible parts, complicated vehicle components, special paints in model aircraft construction, and much more.
✔ Significant cost reduction
...due to the time savings of up to 80% as well as the elimination of additional work steps!
In addition, the layer thickness is significantly lower than that of conventional gelcoats, which not only reduces costs but also weight.
✔ High interlayer adhesion
...by a special formulation of the system!
It allows subsequent processing even weeks after application of the In-Mould coating. In combination with our epoxy high load laminating resin systems, a chemical bond is formed.
✔ Brillant colours
...available in nearly all RAL colours or in transparent for carbon visible parts!
High UV and light resistance as well as good weather resistance.
Properties and fields of application:
- Long time adhesion to suitable epoxy resins
- High quality coatings for In-Mould coating (first layer in female moulds)
- Long time causes to user friendly processing
- Good UV-stability
- For spraying, manual application with a paint-brush is also possible
- Wax free
- User-friendly processing due to long overlaminability
- Deliverable in nearly all RAL-colours and in transparent for carbon visible parts
- 1 liter mixture is enough for 4-5m² surface in 3 layers with each 75g/m² (wet)
**We can only offer the following RAL colour shades in 0.75 liter units:
0000 (transparent), 1021 (rape yellow), 2004 (pure orange), 3000 (flame red), 5002 (ultramarine blue), 9003 (signal white), 9004 (signal black)
Notes on processing:
With In-Mould coating, the part is already coated in the tool or negative form. Instead of sanding components at great expense afterwards and then painting them, with this process the paint is already applied in the mould on the visible side of the molded part.The component is basically painted and laminated in just one operation.
Due to the specially developed formulation, the PU coating can be overlaminated even after weeks without any problems. Productions using the vacuum compression process benefit from this principle.
Particularly high interlayer adhesion is ensured by our epoxy heavy-dury laminating resin systems HP-E29L, HP-E56L and HP-E111L and the injection resin systems HP-E3000GL and HP-E300RI.
Notes on the application procedure:
The HP-IMC is to be applied by means of a paint gun, with a short-fiber, solvent-resistand roller or with a soft brush. The In-Mould coating should be applied evenly in a cross-coat pattern.Conventional paint rollers available in DIY stores can not be recommended due to the formation of bubbles during application!
Technical Data In- Mould Coating | HP-IMC
- Colouring: Upon costumer request available in almost all RAL colours ans in transparent for carbon visible parts
- Mixing ratios 100 parts resin / 50 parts hardener (by weight)
- Working Time (pot life) 30 min (at 20°C)
- Working Temperature OPTIMUM 18 - 25 °C
- Working Temperature MINIMUM 15 °C (air) ; 18 °C (mixture)
- Waiting time before laminating approx. 24 h (at 20°C) ; approx. 6 h (at 40°C)
- Mixed viscosity 15 – 16 s, 1,4mm nozzle (resin)
- Density 1 g/cm³ (approx)
- Temperature stability/ Decrease of surface hardness from approx. 100 °C
- Consumption per spray pass:
- Wet application: 70-80 g/m²
- Dry application: 40-50 g/m²
- Recommended spraying: 2-3 (varies depending on the opacity of the color shade)
Hazard Statements
Hardener:
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour.
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
H332 Harmful if inhaled.
H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Resin:
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour.
H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H318 Causes serious eye damage.
H332 Harmful if inhaled.
H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Working notes and decision guidance
Below you will find processing information for epoxy resins, safety notes and also a decision guide for helping choosing the correct epoxy system.
Decision guidance epoxy resins (PDF)
If you need further working notes and decision guidance, you will find anything here in the download portal.
Frequently asked questions
Which colors are available?
What is the UV stability of the HP-IMC?
Can the HP-IMC also be applied with polyester?
Which release agents are recommended?
How is the HP-IMC applied? Is it applied with a spray gun, a brush or roller?
Spraying method: Spray nozzle 1.2-1.4 mm / spray pressure 4 bar / 2-3 spraying passes
Rolling method: Use a short-fibered and solvent-resistant roller for application. The in-mould coating should be applied evenly in a cross coat and bubble formation should be avoided.
What is the best number of layers to apply?
From when and until when may I overlaminate?
What is the shlef life of a container and what should I bear in mind when storing it?
How to clean the tools?
How does the HP-IMC differ from a standard coating?
The varnish is/has...
- Not hardened and remains soft: The most common reasons here are too high a film thickness, an incorrect mixing ratio, too short waiting time between coating passes or the room is too cold.
- An orange peel: This may be because the coating was applied too thinly or the wrong release agent was used.
- Pin-Holes: If pinholes occur, this may be due to poor ventilation of the paint layer in the brush application. It is best to always apply several thin coats. The coating can be optimized with HP-IMC-X Thinner.