1. What is the Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT) and how does it relate to heat resistance?
2. What are some of the drawbacks of Glassflake Systems, and what are the benefits of utilizing Belzona Coatings over Glassflake systems?
3. How do Glassflake systems compare with Belzona?
4. Does Belzona manufacture a concrete repair material?
5. How much money am I going to save by using Belzona Materials?
6. Can I mix more Belzona solidifier (hardener) to make it cure quicker?
7. Where and How can I buy Belzona?
8. How long does it take to receive Belzona Material?
9. Will Belzona come to my site to look at my problem?
10. Why can't I buy Belzona from a Do it yourself store?
11. Do you apply the Belzona, or do I have to apply it?
12. What are the payment terms?
13. What is the shelf life of Belzona Materials?
14. Do you accept credit cards?
15. Why is Belzona so expensive?
16. Does Belzona, Inc. have a web site?

What is the Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT) and how does it relate to heat resistance?

HDT is the property of a polymer system that can be accurately determined. It is the initial softening point of the Polymer and relates closely to the glass transition temperature of the polymer.

It is determined in accordance with ASTM D648 and involves supporting a standard cast bar of the material at each end and loading the centre at 264 psi fibre stress. The sample is then warmed in an oil bath at a rate of 2°C per minute until a deflection of 0.025mm (0.010ins.) occurs. The recorded temperature is the HDT or Deflection Temperature.

Mechanical strength will progressively deteriorate above the HDT.

Heat resistance is a less easily defined point at which the product will no longer perform in a satisfactory manner and will depend on several factors other than just heat.

Ultimate heat resistance may be defined as the temperature above which irreversible degradation occurs to the material. Up to this temperature and upon cooling the material will revert back to an equal or slightly stronger level. Above this temperature strength will be lost, even upon cooling.

In very general terms it has been found from experience that the dry heat resistance of Belzona^® 1000 series approximates to double the HDT. Conclusions on performance in wet conditions are drawn from actual immersion tests such as the Atlas cell.

Belzona vs Glassflake (Vinyl Ester) :-
1. General level of adhesion of Glassflake systems is low (Belzona 1321 40% higher).
2. Polymerisation process involved in curing process of Glassflake system leads to shrinkage causing bond line to be permanently stressed.
3. Glassflake systems have extremely poor erosion resistance (90° impact abrasion tests in-house showed BelzonaÒ 1321 20 times better).
4. Independent tests at Herriot Watt University for Conoco further confirmation of this.
5. An additional "glaze coat" is often recommended in Glassflake systems for operation in turbulent areas i.e. Suppliers are aware that Glassflake system has poor erosion resistance.
6. Glassflake systems have very poor resistance to Cavitation. (In-house tests showed Belzona 1321 15 times better)
7. Glassflake systems are notoriously brittle and easily damaged during routine maintenance of equipment.
8. Glassflake systems are based on styrene monomer which is Flammable and has a MEL of 100ppm.
9. Volatile monomer content of Glassflake systems (up to 15%) can create Health and Safety risks when application carried out in-situ. Removal of equipment for application in controlled workshop preferred by applicators. Belzona coatings are VOC free and can be safely applied on site and in confined spaces.
10. In pressurized systems rapid or explosive decompression will damage Glassflake systems due to residual volatile monomer content (up to 5%) and brittle nature of the coating. Tests sponsored by Shell have confirmed this.

Quote: "The results of the decompression/immersion show failure of all glass flake systems.....". In these tests Belzona was the only non-post cured system to survive the decompression cycle.

11. Cure mechanism, inhibited by atmospheric oxygen, can lead to significant coating voids which will lead to failure particularly in decompression situations.12. Glassflake systems call for individual layers to be rollered to align the individual glass flakes. This process is often ignored leading to potential wicking of liquids through mis-aligned flakes.13. Glassflake systems are high build, typically 1.5 – 2mm thick. This can cause flow restriction in critical areas affecting performance characteristics.

14. In pumps the thick glassflake coating will shift the efficiency curve to the LEFT. This will improve the efficiency of a pump which is operating left of B.E.P. (Best Efficiency Point) but will reduce efficiency of pump operating at or to right of B.E.P. Thin BelzonaÒ 1341 coating improves efficiency over full duty range.

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Glassflake systems are historically used and specified for the protection of fluid handling, processing and storage vessels. They have good corrosion protection properties and with correct selection of binder, have good chemical resistance. A major reason for their widespread use is their ease of application (can be sprayed) and low cost. Glassflake systems do however have many drawbacks:-

a) During application there are serious health and safety implications.b) In service they are very prone to damage.

c) In comparison with Belzona 1000 Series coatings they are significantly inferior particularly when used in fluid flow situations.

Yes, Belzona makes concrete repair materials.  Belzona makes over 50 different repair materials.  WE classify them into 5 different categories:  1. Metal Repair  2. Elastomer Repairs  3. Roofing Repair (membrane)  4. Concrete Repair  5. General Barrier coatings

Of course it will vary depending on the application.  On average most customer save $10.00 for every dollar invested in Belzona.

No, Belzona is an engineered polymer.  Adding more or less of the solidifier will only decrease the properties of the cured Belzona Material, and may stop the material from even curing at all.  The mixing ratio can be off by as much as 15%.  A tip for mixing by parts (for a 3 to 1 mix ratio by volume) is to take 3 equal "blobs" of the base and 1 equal "blob" of the solidifier.

Belzona is distributed by Authorized Independent Belzona Distributors.  DBR is the exclusive authorized Belzona Distributor for Georgia, Tennessee, and the Low Country of South Carolina.  If you are not in this area please call us at 1-800-426-1969 or Belzona at 1-800-238-3280 to get the phone number of your Authorized Distributor.

The product is usually shipped the same day the order is place.  Many times the product can be delivered the same day, if necessary.

A local DBR Belzona Technical Consultant is always willing to come to your site, help evaluate your problem, and offer you the most cost effective solution.  There is never any fee for our consulting.

In order to help you get the correct product for the job (there are over 40 different products) and have the most cost effective solution.  Your local Technical Consultant will help you decide which Belzona Product will be the most cost effective for you.  No job is to small or to large.

Which ever you want.  We have trained, professional contractors who can manage the entire project; or your local Technical Consultant can train your crew, and be on site during the application for NO fee.

Net 15.  We also accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express for all Belzona purchases.

Each product is different. Most of the Belzona Products have an indefinite shelf life.

Absolutely, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express for all Belzona purchases.

Belzona is not as expensive as our imitators say! Most of our imitator's products are packaged by the pound.  Belzona is packaged by the kilogram (1 kg  = 2.2 lbs.) so when you pay a little more you are getting a lot more.

Yes.  www.belzona.com