Weighing and mixing of A1
A1 is a combination of A1 Liquid and A1 Powder in a mixing ratio of 1 part A1 Liquid to 2 parts A1 Powder (1:2). This is always based on weight.
Mixing can be done with a stirring stick (small quantities) or with a high-shear mixer. First, start stirring the A1 Liquid and gradually add the A1 Powder. The A1 is ready when all lumps have disappeared. Mixing takes about 1 minute. Try to mix in as few air bubbles as possible by keeping the mixer head below the surface.
1.0 Processing time
After mixing, the standard processing time is 20 to 25 minutes. If you need a shorter or longer processing time, you can add A1 additives.
2.0 Curing time
A1 is a waterborne product. Residual moisture must evaporate before A1 reaches its final properties. How long this takes depends heavily on external factors such as the size of the object, temperature and humidity. If the object is laminated or cast in a mould, it can be removed from the mould as soon as it is strong enough to withstand the forces of demoulding. The product will reach its optimal strength outside the mould.
3.0 Can I change the thickness of A1 by adding more A1 Powder or A1 Liquid?
No. Keeping the ratio between A1 Liquid and A1 Powder is essential for A1 to react properly. Never add more A1 Powder to make A1 thicker, and avoid adding more A1 Liquid to make it more fluid.
If you want to change the thickness of A1, only use our A1 Thix A, A1 Thix B or A1 ATP Powder to make it thicker, or our A1 Diluent to make it more fluid.
4.0 Calculating how much A1 you need
In a mould, you normally start with a first layer of 1 to 2 mm. Next, we advise applying 3 layers of A1 Triaxial Fibre. For this, you need to apply 4 layers of A1 of 1 mm each. In a mould, we normally thicken the A1 for the first layer with A1 Thix A. Make sure this layer has hardened before applying the next layers, so the A1 Triaxial Fibre does not show through. Apply 1 layer of A1 between the hardened first layer and the first layer of A1 Triaxial Fibre for a proper bond.
Example for a 5 m² project:
- 2 mm first layer
- 4 layers of 1 mm A1 to apply the 3 layers of A1 Triaxial Fibre
In total, 6 mm of A1 × 1.75 kg per layer × 5 m² = 52.5 kg of A1, consisting of 17.5 kg A1 Liquid and 35 kg A1 Powder.
Please note that this is an indication, not a general rule.
5.0 The A1 Liquid and A1 Powder have different batch numbers. Can I still use them?
When producing A1, we always aim for our standard setting time of 20 to 25 minutes. This means you have about 20 minutes of working time before A1 starts to harden.
As our A1 Powder is a natural mineral product, its reaction time varies. We compensate for this by adjusting our A1 Liquid. So to get a working time of 20 minutes, make sure you use A1 Liquid and A1 Powder with the same batch number. This is normally a 3-letter combination.
Using A1 Liquid and A1 Powder with different batch numbers is possible, but the working time may be longer or shorter than our standard 20 minutes. That’s why we suggest first doing a small test by mixing 200 grams of A1 Powder with 100 grams of A1 Liquid. This way, you can check the working time for yourself.
6.0 Settling tank
The setting process also continues under water, which is why we recommend removing tools from the water immediately after cleaning. Use a separate bowl of water to clean tools and hands, and let the A1 settle in it (minimum 24 hours). After 24 hours, the surface water can be poured off. The A1 sediment can be left to dry and disposed of with the residual waste, or ground and reused as a filler (max. 1/3). Always follow local regulations.
7.0 I have spots in my castings. How can I solve this?
The three most common reasons for spots in your castings are:
- What you see are A1 Powder particles that have not fully mixed into the A1 Liquid. This can be caused by: a) not using our high-shear mixer, b) a high-shear mixer that was not cleaned after use and is full of cured A1, so it no longer mixes properly, c) a mixing time that is too short, or d) A1 Powder that has been in contact with water (drops), creating hard particles that no longer mix into the A1 Liquid.
- Pigments, and especially powder pigments, are sometimes not mixed properly into the A1. This can also cause spots.
- A1 Extra White is more sensitive to spots, as the balance between A1 Extra White Powder and A1 Extra White Liquid is more sensitive than with our standard A1. Contact us if you are working with A1 Extra White, have checked the suggestions above and still have spots in your castings.
8.0 One of our customers asked about A1 Liquid and A1 Powder he bought 5 years ago. Is it still good to use?
It will probably still work if it has been stored in an unopened package. The most important test your customer can do is a small test with 200 grams of A1 Liquid and 400 grams of A1 Powder, to check whether the A1 still reacts and hardens. The A1 will probably take longer to start curing. This should be within 40 minutes.
However, if this batch of A1 is used for a commercial project, we would no longer advise using it. If your customer receives any claims afterwards, they will have to explain why they used a batch of A1 long after its expiry date.
9.0 Does A1 (Acrylic One) Rotation also harden when the mould is closed off from air?
A1 and A1 Rotation do not need air to harden, so they react and harden without any problems in a closed mould. The reaction time is longer than with our standard A1.
You can use the remaining A1 Rotation in the mixing bowl to check when the A1 Rotation has hardened. To prevent damp spots, we advise demoulding on the same day. Because fibre reinforcement is not possible, demould carefully, as A1 Rotation will still be fragile.
10.0 Why does the colour of an A1 object fade after demoulding?
A1 is a water-based material, and during curing it releases water from the A1 object. Right after demoulding, the A1 object still contains quite a lot of water, which makes its colour more intense. Once demoulded, the A1 object starts to release its water into the air and loses some of its intense colour. A sealer or coating will restore some of the intense colour, but not all of it.
If the exact colour tone of the A1 object is essential, only judge it after the object has had a chance to release its water into the air. This may take a few days.
Instruction video
Instruction sheet
