6012 S Nova Bar: Slow-Set Multi-Purpose Pigmented or Clear Epoxy

The 6012 S (6012-2S) Nova Bar is the medium/slow set version of the 6012 multi-purpose, 100% solids pigmented or clear epoxy system. It uses the same diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A resin and cycloaliphatic amine adduct curing chemistry as the 6012 F, with extended working time for warmer application temperatures and applications where more open time is preferred. Mix ratio 2A:1B. Sold in 3, 15 and 165 gallon units.

6000 Epoxy Series Information

The 6000 Series are cycloaliphatic / diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A resin products used in a wide range of flooring applications, manufactured to be user friendly for the installer. With excellent adhesion these are excellent primers with a 15-18 psi rating and corrosive chemical and scratch resistance. Available in Extra Fast, Fast, Medium and Slow cure versions (an accelerator is also available), clear or pigmented, 65% or 100% solids, low odor, tintable with ASTC pigment packs, squeegee or roller applied. Extra Fast / Fast versions are intended for colder ambient temperatures or 1-day floor installations; slow cures are for warmer temperatures and metallic applications where more working time is preferred.

Unique Characteristics

Slow / medium set version of the 6012 – the slower version recommended for warmer conditions where the fast set 6012-2F would set too quickly.
High strength, very adhesive, moisture tolerant and extremely tough, with superior chemical resistance to corrosive waters, deicing chemicals, most aircraft and many truck and automotive chemicals including many acids.
Multi-use product with low viscosity – easily mixed as a grout and as a coating for sand-broadcast floors. Pre-measured kits.

Advantages

High build; good color stability; cures to a very clear cross-linking finish (clear) or pre-pigmented.
High stain resistance to most tires (plasticizer migration); chemical resistant; excellent abrasion resistance.
Extended working time; highly adhesive with a great bond to concrete or existing top coats.
Not moisture sensitive; conforms to USDA requirements; high heat deflection up to 200°F+.

Uses

Industrial work surfaces, clear or pigmented, slow set – with or without aggregate.
Color quartz and flake base coats (slow set), cove floor bases and industrial floors with sand broadcast.
Concrete repair and “knitting”; damp-condition priming and repair; waste holding and treatment areas; petrochemical production areas.
Kerfs (light-to-light electrical) and grout applications where a longer working time is needed.

Preparation

Concrete must have a minimum 28-day cure. Remove any curing agent, form release materials, oils, wax, moisture or any other material that might affect bonding.
Perform a Moisture Vapor Test before coating. Clean by abrasive “brush off” blast and provide a rough profile of at least 2 mils (see ASTM D4259 Abrading Concrete and ASTM F1869 Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission).
Seal / repair all bug holes, cracks and spalls (see ASTC data sheets on 830, 4034 and 3004 for joints) and use ASTC primer over filled cracks and voids.
Do not apply to floors that have not been properly repaired, treated and primed, or that do not have a pH of 7-8.5. Remove all old coatings.

Priming & Moisture Vapor Reduction

Self-priming when used on cleaned surfaces; compatible with 6000 Series epoxy primers, 7001 Pen Prime and 8000 CMW.
Use ASTC’s CMW to reduce moisture vapor drive. Efflorescence (white powder on the slab) indicates vapor drive – see the CMW data sheet.
Moisture Vapor Transmission of the substrate must not exceed 3 lbs per 1,000 sq ft per 24 hours. Above 3 lbs use the 6007 Nova Bar epoxy primer, rated up to 18 lbs.

Mixing

Use a jiffy mixer and 650 rpm drill motor. Add part B into part A and mix until a uniform blend is evident, approximately one to two minutes. Do not change the proportions. Mix part B before use to keep pigment in suspension. Mix at a 2:1 ratio.
Do not let the mixed product remain in the mixing container – epoxies left in a bucket in mass heat up much faster. Stick/hand mixing is not recommended.

Application

Apply at least 5°F above the dew point. Apply with a notched squeegee and back-roll with a 3/8” to 1/2” nap roller in films of 8 to 16 mils per coat (not thinner than 8 mils).
Top coat as soon as the product has set and is becoming tack free. If the recoat window is exceeded, sand lightly, wipe with acetone and re-coat.
Sand broadcast: after removing excess sand, seal the surface with additional 6012 or, for an aliphatic finish, the 5500 clear coat polyurea/aspartic.
For cold conditions or 1-day installations use the fast set 6012 F (6012-2F).

Cold & Hot Temperatures

Below 50°F the cure slows; although the epoxy will continue to cure it will take longer to develop its hardness. For every 18°F below the estimated pot life, the pot life and thin-film set time will double.
Above 85°F the epoxy cures quicker, especially with high humidity. Keep product on ice or in a controlled environment and only mix what you can use in a 15-20 minute period.

Limitations

Do not use on wet concrete with standing water – damp is OK. Do not use product that is hot (over 90°F).
Keep out of direct sunlight and store kits on wood pallets at room temperature. Do not mix and leave product in mass in buckets.
Wear protective clothing, goggles and a NIOSH cartridge mask; use positive air supply in confined spaces. For professional applicators only – read the MSDS before use. DOT/Flash Point: non-flammable liquid classification.
Thinning: xylene, used sparingly – test before using on a large area.