TotalBoat Thixo & Thixo Pro
- Two-part, thixotropic epoxy adhesive
- Very high bond strength to a wide range of substrates
- Each cartridge includes two static mixing tips
- Suitable for use above or below the waterline
- Thixo: 185 ml cartridge for most standard caulk guns
- Thixo Pro: 450 ml cartridge for dual-cartridge guns
TotalBoat Thixo is a high-strength, pre-thickened epoxy adhesive in a convenient cartridge format. It dispenses a controlled bead of structural epoxy ideal for bonding, sealing, filleting, and small gap-filling jobs. Static mixing tips ensure resin and hardener are fully blended as they exit the cartridge. When fully cured, Thixo is waterproof and can be drilled, sanded, and painted.
Product Information
Cleaner / Surface Preparation
- Acetone
- Denatured alcohol
Cleanup
- Uncured: Denatured alcohol or acetone
- Cured: Must be removed mechanically
Thinner / Reducer
Do not thin any Thixo products.
Mold Release Agents
Mold release paste wax or PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) may be used where release is required.
Primer
Primers are not required. However, etching with TotalBoat Aluminum Boat Etch Wash is highly recommended on bare aluminum substrates, and TotalBoat Rust Primer is recommended on ferrous steel applications.
Applications
- Bonding and structural adhesive applications
- Filleting
- Small gap filling, up to 1/2"
- Gluing a variety of compatible substrates
Acceptable Substrates
Fiberglass, wood, properly prepared metals, block, brick, concrete, glass, slate, tile, and stone.
Caulk Gun Requirements
- Thixo (185 ml): Fits most standard caulk guns with an offset nozzle opening; an 8:1 or higher mechanical advantage is recommended.
- Thixo Pro (450 ml): Fits TotalBoat Thixo Pro guns and most dual-cartridge caulk guns; these typically provide sufficient mechanical advantage.
Safety & PPE
Always use proper safety equipment, clothing, and PPE in accordance with the Safety Data Sheet when working with TotalBoat Thixo.
Exothermic Reaction: The cure of Thixo generates heat. In larger masses, mixed epoxy can reach 200°F or higher. Apply in thin beads or films wherever possible.
Surface Preparation
All surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of dust, dirt, grease, oil, wax, moisture, or other contaminants.
Important: Use only clean cotton rags for solvent wipes. Some solvents can leave residue on synthetic rags.
Fiberglass
- Remove any amine blush with warm water and mild soap; rinse and dry completely.
- Remove wax using a suitable dewaxing product.
- Abrade bonding areas with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper and remove sanding residue.
- Wipe with a cotton rag dampened with acetone or denatured alcohol and allow to dry.
Epoxy
- Wash cured epoxy with warm water and mild soap to remove any amine blush; dry thoroughly.
- Wipe with a cotton rag dampened with the specified solvents.
- Abrade with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper; remove sanding residue and solvent-wipe again.
Wood
- Wipe surfaces with acetone or denatured alcohol to remove contamination.
- For oily hardwoods and white oak, wipe with acetone if possible.
- Allow solvents to evaporate completely.
- Abrade bonding areas with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper; remove residue and solvent-wipe again.
Metals
Steel / Iron
- Solvent-wipe with acetone or denatured alcohol.
- Grind or sand to bright metal with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper; remove sanding residue.
- Solvent-wipe again and allow to dry completely.
- Application of TotalBoat Rust Primer as directed is recommended but not required.
Stainless Steel
- Solvent-wipe and dry completely.
- Abrade bonding area with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper; remove residue and solvent-wipe.
Aluminum
- Solvent-wipe and dry completely.
- Abrade with 80-grit sandpaper or etch with TotalBoat Aluminum Boat Etch Wash as directed.
- If abraded, remove sanding residue and solvent-wipe; allow to dry.
- Apply Thixo within 1 hour of surface prep.
Lead
Safety Alert: Use appropriate PPE when working with lead.
- Solvent-wipe the surface and dry.
- Grind or sand small sections at a time with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper until shiny and rough.
- Remove sanding residue and solvent-wipe again; allow solvent to evaporate.
- Apply Thixo immediately, before the lead re-oxidizes. If delayed, repeat prep.
Other Metals
- Solvent-wipe and dry completely.
- Abrade with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper; remove sanding residue and solvent-wipe.
- Apply Thixo within 1 hour.
Stone
- Ensure stone is dry and free of dirt, dust, and residue.
- Solvent-wipe and allow to dry completely before bonding.
Masonry
- Allow masonry to dry thoroughly; trapped moisture can compromise bonds.
- Clean away dust, debris, and loose material.
- Abrade bonding area; remove residue and solvent-wipe.
- Allow solvents to evaporate fully, then apply Thixo.
Concrete
- Remove loose dust, debris, and contamination.
- Do not bond to new or moisture-emitting concrete.
- Sandblast or abrade surface; etch if desired, following etch manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ensure surface is completely dry before applying Thixo.
Glass
- Clean glass with denatured alcohol; allow to dry completely before application.
Applications
Bonding
Thixo has strength, thixotropic properties, and working time that make it ideal for structural and general bonding applications on many substrates, above or below the waterline, provided its cured properties meet the design requirements.
Filleting
When bonding two parts at an angle or perpendicular, apply Thixo in the joint and then lay a 1/8"–1/4" bead in the corner. Tool with a rounded implement, such as a tongue depressor, to create a smooth, uniform fillet that increases surface area and rigidity.
Gap Filling
Thixo can fill gaps up to 1/2" in thickness. For larger gaps, build up in multiple layers, allowing each to reach a firm, slightly tacky state before applying the next, or allow to cure fully, sand, and then reapply.
Dispensing & Mixing
Application Conditions
- Minimum application temperature: 55°F for epoxy, substrate, and ambient air.
- Relative humidity: 0–90% for the first 24 hours.
- In cool conditions, warm cartridges to 75–85°F for easier dispensing and better workability.
Caulk Gun
Use a caulk gun with sufficient mechanical advantage to dispense the product smoothly, especially for Thixo Pro dual-cartridge systems.
Mix Ratio
- 2A:1B by volume (resin : hardener)
- 100A:46B by weight, calculated
Static Mixing Tips
- Static tips automatically combine resin and hardener as they exit the cartridge.
- Trim tip to desired bead size.
- After installing a new tip, dispense 3–4" of bead as waste before use.
- Do not attempt to clean or reuse tips; leave the used tip on the cartridge to act as a seal until next use.
Dispensing Without a Static Mixing Tip
- Remove the threaded cap and plug.
- Dispense material and mix thoroughly by hand until uniform in color and texture.
Curing
- Gel time in a thin bead / film: ~50 minutes @ 77°F.
- Light-duty use or sanding: ~24 hours @ 77°F.
- Full cure: ~5–7 days; warmer temperatures accelerate cure and cooler temperatures slow cure.
Clamping
- Recommended clamp time: 24 hours.
- Do not over-clamp; excessive pressure can squeeze epoxy out of the joint and weaken the bond.
- Ensure a continuous, thin film of Thixo remains between bonded parts.
Product Storage
- Store between 60–90°F in a dry place, tightly sealed.
- Do not store on floors or near windows / doors that expose cartridges to cold conditions.
- For cartridges using static mixing tips, leave the tip in place to act as a seal between uses.
- If reinstalling the original plug, avoid cross-contaminating resin and hardener sides.
Crystallized Epoxy
- Crystallization may appear as cloudiness, grittiness, or thickened resin / hardener.
- Do not use Thixo until crystallization is resolved.
- To fix: Place the sealed cartridge in a plastic bag and warm in 125–150°F water, changing water as needed for 30–90 minutes until contents reach at least 125°F and are fully clear.
- Allow to cool to ambient temperature before use.
- Proper storage minimizes the risk of crystallization.
Application Data
| Application / Epoxy Type | Adhesive, bonding, sealing, filling |
|---|---|
| Application Film Thickness | Thin film up to 1/2" |
| Application Temperature / RH | Minimum 55°F; 0–90% RH |
| Working Time | 45–60 minutes @ 77°F (thin film / bead) |
| Gel Time | 30–35 minutes @ 77°F (150 g mass) |
| Clamp Time | 24 hours @ 77°F |
| Minimum Cure For Use | 24 hours (light duty), 72 hours (heavy duty) @ 77°F |
| Full Cure Time | 5–7 days |
| Resin Density | 9.6 lbs/gal @ 77°F |
| Hardener Density | 8.8 lbs/gal @ 77°F |
| Mix Ratio (By Weight) | 100A:46B, calculated |
| Mix Ratio (By Volume) | 2A:1B, calculated |
| Thixotropic Index | 7.5 (@ 1/10 RPM) |
| Sag Resistance | 1–2" vertical surface |
| Mixed Viscosity | Thixotropic (ASTM D2196) |
| Shelf Life | At least 1 year with proper storage |
Physical Data
| Cured Color / Finish | Off-White to Buff |
|---|---|
| Components | Two — Resin (Part A), Hardener (Part B) |
| Units | 185 ml & 450 ml cartridges |
| UV Stable | No |
| Tensile Strength | 6,000 psi (ASTM D638) |
| Tensile Modulus | 325,000 psi (ASTM D638) |
| Tensile Elongation | 8.5% (ASTM D638) |
| HDT (Post Cure) | 122°F (ASTM D648) |
| Compressive Strength | 9,000 psi (ASTM D695) |
| Flexural Strength | 10,500 psi (ASTM D792) |
| Flexural Modulus | 307,000 psi (ASTM D790) |
| Volumetric Yield / Coverage | 185 ml: ~59' of 1/8" bead or 175 sq. in. @ 1/16" per cartridge; 450 ml: ~143' of 1/8" bead or 425 sq. in. @ 1/16" per cartridge, not including waste |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 3.85% (ASTM D792/D1475) |
| Tensile Adhesion (Wood) | 1,420 psi (ASTM 4541) |
| Tensile Adhesion (Aluminum) | 1,840 psi (ASTM 4541) |
| Tensile Adhesion (G-10 Plate) | 2,090 psi (ASTM 4541) |
| Hardness | 80 Shore D (ASTM D2240) |
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