High Strength Bonding
WEST SYSTEM 105 Epoxy Resin forms exceptionally strong bonds with timber, fibreglass and composite materials. The epoxy system penetrates substrates and creates a structural bond suitable for marine repairs, laminating and high performance composite work.
Controlled Cure Performance
The WEST SYSTEM epoxy range uses specialised hardeners that allow the cure speed and working time to be tailored to the application. Selecting the correct hardener allows improved control during bonding, coating and laminating.
Moisture Resistant Protection
When properly applied, WEST SYSTEM epoxy forms a durable moisture resistant barrier that helps protect timber and composite substrates from water ingress and environmental exposure.
Marine & Composite Proven
WEST SYSTEM epoxy is widely used in boatbuilding, structural bonding, composite fabrication and repair applications where strength, reliability and predictable performance are required.
Common Applications
- Structural timber bonding
- Fibreglass laminating and composite repairs
- Timber sealing and moisture protection
- Boatbuilding and marine repair
- Bonding metals and composite materials
- Filleting and reinforcement preparation
Technical Specifications
WEST SYSTEM Hardeners & Fillers Guide
Compare WEST SYSTEM hardeners for cure speed and resin ratio, then switch to the fillers breakdown to choose the right thickening or fairing option for your epoxy system.
WEST SYSTEM Hardener Comparison
WEST SYSTEM 105 Epoxy Resin is used with a compatible hardener to control cure speed, working time and finish characteristics.
| Hardener | Mix Ratio | Best For | Cure Profile | Typical Use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 Fast Hardener | 5:1 | Faster turnaround work and lower temperature applications | Rapid cure with quick handling and turnaround | General purpose bonding, coating, repairs and smaller laminating jobs | View Product |
| 206 Slow Hardener | 5:1 | General workshop use, more complex jobs and warmer conditions | Extended working time compared with 205 | Structural bonding, laminating and coating where more open time is helpful | View Product |
| 207 Special Coating Hardener | 3:1 | Clear coating applications where finish quality matters | Clear, moisture resistant epoxy finish with UV inhibiting additives | Timber coating, marine finishing, clear epoxy coatings over wood and composite finishing | View Product |
| 209 Extra Slow Hardener | 3:1 | Large laminating jobs and warm temperature conditions | Extra slow cure with extended working time | Fibreglass laminating, large coatings, timber bonding, structural repairs and industrial composite fabrication | View Product |
WEST SYSTEM Additive Fillers Breakdown
WEST SYSTEM additive fillers are used to thicken epoxy and tailor viscosity, strength, density and sanding properties for fairing, bonding, filleting and filling applications.
| Filler | Best For | Properties | Typical Use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 410 Microlight | Fairing and surface shaping | Low density and easy sanding | Lightweight fairing compounds for smoothing and shaping larger surfaces | View Fillers |
| 411 Microsphere Blend | Filleting, filling and coving | Low density with good gap filling and improved sag resistance | Gap filling, fillets and shaped epoxy mixes that need better body | |
| 413 Microfibre | Structural bonding and reinforcement | Increases mixture strength for stronger epoxy blends | Bonding, gap filling and reinforcing joints | |
| 417 Low Density Fairing Filler | Lightweight fairing putties | Microballoon based and easy to sand or shape after cure | Fairing putties for shaping and sanding cured surfaces |
Compare Resin & Surface Systems
| Feature | Polyester Resin | Vinyl Ester Resin | Epoxy Resin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical use | General fibreglass laminating, repairs and moulding | Higher performance laminates and corrosion resistant structures | Structural bonding, premium laminates and advanced composite work |
| Cost level | Most economical | Mid to upper range | Highest cost |
| Mechanical strength | Good general purpose strength | Higher than polyester | Excellent structural performance |
| Water resistance | Good | Very good | Excellent |
| Chemical resistance | Moderate | High | High |
| Adhesion | Good for general laminating | Very good | Excellent across many substrates |
| Catalyst / hardener | MEKP catalyst | MEKP catalyst | Requires dedicated epoxy hardener |
| Best suited for | Cost effective fibreglass fabrication and repair | Marine hulls, tanks, pipes and demanding laminates | Premium marine, timber coating, structural bonding and advanced composites |
Polyester resin is often chosen for economical general fibreglass work, vinyl ester suits higher performance and chemical resistant laminates, while epoxy is the premium option for structural bonding and advanced composite performance.
| Feature | Gelcoat | Flowcoat |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Creates the outer cosmetic and protective surface in moulded fibreglass parts | Provides a protective topcoat for exposed fibreglass surfaces and repairs |
| Wax content | Generally unwaxed | Contains wax for tack free surface cure |
| Typical application stage | Applied first into the mould before reinforcement and resin | Applied as a finishing coat over cured fibreglass laminate |
| Finish quality | High quality moulded surface finish | Durable repair and finishing surface |
| Common uses | Boat hulls, decks, moulded composite parts, marine components | Boat repairs, internal lockers, bilges, protective topcoats and maintenance work |
| Surface cure | Remains tacky without laminate backing or additives | Cures tack free due to wax additive |
| Best suited for | New moulded parts requiring cosmetic outer finish | Repair work and protective finishing over existing laminate |
Gelcoat is primarily used as the outer mould surface finish for new fibreglass parts, while flowcoat is generally used as a tack free finishing coat for repairs, maintenance and exposed internal fibreglass surfaces.
Need CNC Cut Composite Panels?
Iron Link Distributors offers precision CNC machining for Coosa Bluewater composite boards and Divinycell structural foam cores. Send us your drawings, templates or CAD files and we can manufacture custom structural panels, composite inserts and precision cut core materials ready for installation.
- Custom CNC cut Coosa Board and Divinycell core panels
- Precision structural inserts, reinforcement plates and composite components
- CNC nested panel kits for faster installation and reduced waste
- DXF, DWG and PDF file formats accepted
- Quote based service for prototype, one-off or batch production
Perfect For
Boat transoms, bulkheads, deck cores, composite sandwich panels, cabinetry components, reinforcement plates, seating structures and marine or industrial composite parts requiring accurate CNC machining and repeatable precision.