New hearth
- Thread starter Hokypuk
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That is one of a kind. It almost looks like smoke. What was the process involved to make it from the old hearthpad?
stoveliker
Minister of Fire
I found a hearth pad at our local stove shop with no tiles. We chipped the mortar out, researched the epoxy process, and found a suitable high temp epoxy after many phone calls to manufacturers. After a million more questions and phone calls to Stone Coat Epoxy, we ordered our product and went for it!
stoveliker
Minister of Fire
It looks honestly fantastic.
I would be a bit concerned though about this being suitable as an ember shield?
Hi-temp Epoxy is still flammable imo.
I would be a bit concerned though about this being suitable as an ember shield?
Hi-temp Epoxy is still flammable imo.
I went to their website but can not find any product sheets that would list the temperature range. It may be ok, but it would be good to know what temp range it is approved for. I am not finding any high temp epoxies listed, but maybe they sell on special order?
Yes, it's a resin. Normal epoxy will distort around 300º, high temp is supposed to be ok up to 600º. Assuming this is a 2part epoxy, although one part is flammable before mixed with the hardener, once cured I think it is considered not flammable.
Is Epoxy Flammable? Yes and No…
firefighterinsider.com
EDIT: I found on another site that StoneCoat is rated at 500º.
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stoveliker
Minister of Fire
That seems to be the consensus online indeed.
I do read though that it may give of fumes if getting too hot (an ember lands on it).
Seems to not be an (immediate) safety hazard, though obviously you want to avoid dropping embers on it - for mainly aesthetic reasons, and fumes.
If I were you, I'd ask the mfg for the msds (that should hopefully give you a clear case that this is not a fire hazard) - and file that with your insurance papers.
I do read though that it may give of fumes if getting too hot (an ember lands on it).
Seems to not be an (immediate) safety hazard, though obviously you want to avoid dropping embers on it - for mainly aesthetic reasons, and fumes.
If I were you, I'd ask the mfg for the msds (that should hopefully give you a clear case that this is not a fire hazard) - and file that with your insurance papers.
Have to say, the StoneCoat folks are enthusiastic about their craft, but I would not trust them with a woodstove installation based on this video. Clearances to combustibles for the stove and thimble are disregarded.
Note that they used a topcoat for added scratch resistance and to soften the gloss.
Note that they used a topcoat for added scratch resistance and to soften the gloss.
StoneCast makes it clear that thick resin will outgas and recommends heat (in an oven) to help reduce outgassing. The heat from the stove may do the same.
They say in the comments it's only rated to 475 absolutely nowhere near high enough
stoveliker
Minister of Fire
No; this is the (m)sds of the components before they react into a solid resin, this has no bearing on the properties of the slab you got as it is now a different material because it has chemically reacted.
Yes but the question is whether the epoxy is nonflammable. From the companies comments in their video it's only rated to 475
What is considered nonflammable? What size tempered glass would I need if it’s not suitable?
Non flammable doesn't have a temperature rating it has a flammability rating of non-combustible. You would need a piece of glass large enough to cover the stoves hearth requirements
The 475º rating is the temperature at which the product starts to outgas combustible fumes which also are likely toxic. The product may soften at temps lower than this.
stoveliker
Minister of Fire
I'd say it's more broadly: the temperature rating is the limit below which the properties remain (sufficiently) similar to their design parameters that all is fine. Combustability is simply whether it can combust when in contact with embers or something hotter. (I didn't check the definition of the latter.)
I was assuming that 475º is the flash point temp, but that is not clear. It may be the melt point?
firefighterinsider.com
Is Epoxy Flammable? Yes and No…
firefighterinsider.com
stoveliker
Minister of Fire
It won't melt. It can decompose, it can become viscous through a glass transition. It's tough to say not knowing the material system. But there will be no phase transition to a liquid state, aka melting.
Point is that some property will change leading to it not performing as it will at room temperature.
Point is that some property will change leading to it not performing as it will at room temperature.
Would a tempered glass piece 42x42 suffice? I’ll really hoping I don’t have to go that route…. I sent Stone Coat an email regarding this issue.
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