Hardman Double Bubble Red 04001 Extra-Fast Setting Epoxy (aka Epoweld 8173)

Product Name

Hardman Double Bubble Red 04001 Extra-Fast Setting Epoxy (aka Epoweld 8173)

Brief Description

Hardman Double Bubble Red 04001 Extra-Fast Setting Epoxy, also known as Epoweld 8173, is a two-component, room-temperature curing epoxy adhesive. It is engineered to provide a strong, permanent, and gap-filling bond with an extra-fast setting time, making it ideal for quick repairs and on-the-spot bonding jobs where rapid handling strength and high bond strength are critical.

Popular Applications & Uses

• Repairing tools, auto parts, electrical and electronic components, and furniture.
• Fast patching, fixturing, tacking, sealing, and gap filling in various industrial and electrical applications.
• Bonding structural components in aerospace and aviation.
• Joining metal parts and lightweight composites in automotive manufacturing.
• Bonding building materials, repairing and filling cracks in concrete, and securing bolts and anchors in construction.
• Building and repairing boats and ships, including sealing and protecting hulls in marine environments.
• General assembly and repair of substrates across various manufacturing sectors.

Industries that Commonly Use It

• Aerospace/Defense
• Automotive Service/Repair
• Cabinet & Woodworking
• Construction/ Building Services
• Electrical Services or Products
• Fabrication
• Furniture
• General Manufacturing
• Government & Military
• Industrial Supply
• LED/Electronics
• Marine
• Medical Device/ Prosthetics
• Metal Fabrication
• Plastic Fabrication
• Prosumer
• Transportation/ Specialty Vehicle

Special and Unique Features

• Extra-Fast Setting: Offers a working time of 3-5 minutes and achieves handling strength in 15-60 minutes, ideal for urgent applications.
• Extreme Strength: Provides an impressive bond strength of 2,400 - 3,200 psi, which is stronger than high-strength concrete.
• Room Temperature Cure: Cures effectively at room temperature and can even cure at temperatures as low as -18°C (0°F).
• Permanent & Gap-Filling Bond: Delivers a strong, permanent, and gap-filling adhesive solution.
• Resistant Properties: Once cured, it is resistant to impact, water, and solvents.
• Non-Toxic When Cured: The epoxy is non-toxic once fully cured.
• Clear Drying: Dries clear with a slight amber tint and does not shrink.
• Convenient Packaging: Often available in unique Double/Bubble® packets (3.5g) for single, small jobs, ensuring accurate 1:1 proportioning and reducing waste. Also available in syringes, cartridges, and bottle kits.
• Military Specification: Listed by the Department of Defense as conforming to NSN 8040-00-092-2816.

Key Properties

• Working Time: 3-5 minutes
• Time to Handling Strength: 15-60 minutes
• Full Cure: 24 hours
• Shear Strength: 2,400 - 3,200 psi
• Color (Uncured/Cured): Amber (wet), Dries clear with a slight amber tint (cured)
• Viscosity (Mixed): Approximately 40,000-55,000 cP (like honey)
• Hardness: 80 Shore D
• Shelf Life: 24 months (2 years)
• Maximum Operating Temperature: +180°F (+82°C)
• Cure Temperature Range: Room temperature down to -18°C (0°F)

Surface Compatibility

This all-purpose formula bonds effectively to a broad range of materials, including:

• Metals (steel, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel)
• Wood
• Concrete
• Ceramics
• Tile
• Glass
• China
• Stone
• Leather
• Most hard plastics

Known backups / known substitutes

• Hardman Epoweld 8185: A slower setting version of the system, setting in approximately 10 minutes.
• Hardman Epoweld 8269: Another slower setting version, setting in approximately 20 minutes.
• Loctite Double/Bubble-Epoxy (3-gram): Mentioned as an alternative to Hardman Epoxy-04001.
• Other general two-part epoxy adhesives from various manufacturers, depending on specific application requirements for strength, cure time, and material compatibility.

Comparison Note

The Hardman Double Bubble Red 04001 (Epoweld 8173) stands out as one of the fastest setting epoxies available, offering exceptional strength that can surpass high-strength concrete. Its unique Double/Bubble® packaging provides a convenient, pre-portioned, and less wasteful alternative to traditional epoxy syringes, ensuring consistent mixing ratios for optimal performance. This product is highly valued for its ability to form strong, permanent, and gap-filling bonds, coupled with resistance to impact, water, and solvents once cured, making it a reliable choice for demanding industrial and repair applications.