Decrepit, the product is Devcon, we use it at work (machine repairs) it is a tough product. Crew call it liquid steel.
No sure if you can mix it, but cant see why not. Unless it has a Chem reaction to the stuff your mixing it with.
Mineral

I use a product called JB Weld.
Very hard to get here in Perth.
It is used in automotive work in the US as a steel filler, I use it on model helicopters.
Once set treat it like steel, it is a 2 part epoxy.
May not be enough in the two tubes for what you want but very, very strong and you could bag it maybe or shape it.
PM for more details.

graceman said...

I use a product called JB Weld.
Very hard to get here in Perth.
It is used in automotive work in the US as a steel filler, I use it on model helicopters.
Once set treat it like steel, it is a 2 part epoxy.
May not be enough in the two tubes for what you want but very, very strong and you could bag it maybe or shape it.
PM for more details.

Have used JB weld on fins before can be used for small nicks but it does have iron fillings in it.

Devcon make a number of different metallic containing epoxies and wear resistant products, I would suggest looking at their web site and checking the products abrasion resistance properties, also how thinly these products can be applied.

I have also seen some specialized abrasion resistant epoxies used on pump casings, these incorporate small ceramic beads (Precisely how small I don't know) to provide the wear resistance.

Yes it does cos there is always *some* iron exposed to the water.... but not much. Trouble is it isn't marine and continual water exposure will cause the epoxy to fail (just a tiny bit) and the iron in the leading edge will make little holes and then vortices. May be quicker though, just like sanding to bottom of the board!!

I'd go titanium powder. Hard to find though I had a source of Ti plate in Perth if you wanted to grind it yourself so let me know if you are *that* desperate.

Try asking on US based aeronautics (esp military) forums as the leading edges of some of the aircraft they don't have and the hypersonic mach30 thing they're flying in the desert in South Oz have similar products to prevent leading edge erosion caused just by airflow.

Titanium carbide?

Talking with nebs today, he thinks these industrial strength solutions are overkill.
I'm not sure, think those weeds must hold a lot of grit, cause it sure eats into straight epoxy fast. Typically leaves a striated leading edge, (think this is where the epoxy is wearing faster than the glass) after only a few hours.
The stainless leading edge is just getting more polished after 2hrs use, no discernible wear. But that's not really long enough to tell.

Thanks for all the ideas everybody, it's given me quite a few things to chase up.
Hopefully I'll come up with something easy and practical to make a fin rejuvenation cheap easy and long lasting.
With the increasing popularity of hardy's run, I can see it getting quite a bit of use.