Colloidal Silica (West System)
Want a thickening additive that can be used for all types of filleting and bonding purposes? The versatile West System 406 Colloidal Silica is the best choice. This strong filler controls epoxy resin’s viscosity and prevents epoxy run-off during application.
Combine this colloidal silica with other fillers to improve the strength, abrasion resistance and consistency of the fairing compounds.
- Controls epoxy viscosity and prevents runoff
- Ideal for general bonding and filleting
- Improve strength, abrasion resistance, and consistency of fairing compounds when combined with other fillers
Specifications
Manf. Part # 406-B
- Package size: 10.0 lbs
Manf. Part # 406-2
- Package size: 1.7 lbs
Manf. Part # 406-7
- Package size: 6.0 lbs
Selecting Fillers
As a rule, use higher-density fillers when bonding higher-density materials such as hardwoods and metals. Any of the adhesive fillers are suitable for most bonding situations. Your choice of a filler for general use may be based on the handling characteristics you prefer. Fillers may also be blended to create mixtures with intermediate characteristics.
Adhesive Fillers vs. Fairing Fillers
Fillers are used to thicken the basic resin/hardener mixture for specific applications. Each filler possesses a unique set of physical characteristics, but they can be generally categorized as either Adhesive (high-density) or Fairing (low-density).
Adhesive filler mixtures cure to a strong, hard-to-sand plastic useful in structural applications like bonding, filleting and hardware bonding.
Fairing filler mixtures cure to light, easily sandable material that is generally used for cosmetic or surface applications like shaping, filling or fairing.
Uses (Resin/Hardener mixture thickened with a Filler) | Adhesive Fillers Highest density Highest strength | Fairing Fillers Lowest density Easiest sanding | ||||
404 High Density | 406 Colloidal Silica | 403 Microfibers | 405 Filleting Blend | 407 Low-Density | 410 Microlight | |
Bonding Hardware - Increased fastener interface and hardware load capability - maximum strength | **** | *** | *** | ** | ||
General Bonding - Join parts with epoxy thickened to create a structural gap filler - strength/gap filling | *** | *** | *** | ** | * | |
Bonding with Fillets - Increase joint bonding area and create a structrual brace between parts - smoothness/strength | ** | **** | ** | *** | *** | |
Laminating - Bond layers of wood strips, veneers, planks, sheets and cores - gap filling/strength | ** | *** | **** | ** | ** | |
Fairing - Fill low areas and voids with an easily sanded surface filler/fairing compound - sandability/gap filling | *** | **** |
Filler | Package Size | Quantity of mixed epoxy required for | ||
Ketchup Consistency | Mayonnaise Consistency | Peanut Butter Consistency | ||
403-9 | 6.0 oz | 3.8 qt | 2.5 qt | 1.0 qt |
403-28 | 20.0 oz | 3.2 gal | 2.0 gal | 0.9 gal |
403-B | 20.0 lb | 48.0 gal | 32.0 gal | 15.3 gal |
404-15 | 15.2 oz | 1.2 qt | 0.9 qt | 0.7 qt |
404-45 | 43.0 oz | 3.6 qt | 2.8 qt | 2.0 qt |
404-B | 30.0 lb | 9.4 gal | 7.4 gal | 5.3 gal |
405 | 8.0 oz | 0.9 qt | 0.7 qt | 0.6 qt |
406-2 | 1.7 oz | 1.3 qt | 0.9 qt | 0.5 qt |
406-7 | 5.5 oz | 1.1 gal | 3.0 qt | 1.7 qt |
406-B | 10.0 lb | 27.0 gal | 16.0 gal | 6.0 gal |
407-5 | 4.0 oz | 0.5 qt | 0.4 qt | 0.3 qt |
407-15 | 12.0 oz | 1.7 qt | 1.3 qt | 1.0 qt |
407-B | 14.0 lb | 6.0 gal | 4.8 gal | 3.7 gal |
410-2 | 2.0 oz | 1.2 qt | 0.9 qt | 0.7 qt |
410-7 | 5.0 oz | 3.0 qt | 2.4 qt | 1.8 qt |
410-B | 4.0 lb | 8.9 gal | 7.2 gal | 5.6 gal |