NDR--underwater epoxy

[Jeff Reardon]

For work, I need to attach some PVC housings for thermometers to underwater substrates including ledge, boulders, bridge abutments, and submerged logs.


In the past I've often used zip ties, but in some new streams I will be dealing with much larger boulders and a lot of ledge.

Any suggestions for a quick-setting epoxy that will set up underwater, and be durable through all kinds of conditions including freeze/thaw, alternate wetting and dewatering during floods and droughts, and exposure to flood debris?

I know that nothing will be fail proof, but am hoping to find something cheap, easy, and fairly reliable.

The sensors are about $160 each, so I don't want to lose many!

 

[Wyatt Russo]

PC11 it’s a 2 part epoxy works great

 

[Michael McCord1]

PC11 it’s a 2 part epoxy works great

Will it stick to pvc? I always thought that epoxy was great for anything besides plastics. On top of that, all the epoxy putties I’ve used required me to wet my fingers so I could smooth it. It might set underwater but I don’t think it would stick underwater.

@Jeff Reardon could you drill into a boulder or ledge and use a mechanical fastener?

 

[Carl]

Let me check with some of my colleagues who do coral restoration work.

 

[Wyatt Russo]

Will it stick to pvc? I always thought that epoxy was great for anything besides plastics. On top of that, all the epoxy putties I’ve used required me to wet my fingers so I could smooth it. It might set underwater but I don’t think it would stick underwater.

@Jeff Reardon could you drill into a boulder or ledge and use a mechanical fastener?

I’ve only used it on fiberglass to be honest idk about plastic. If it does I highly recommend it the stuff is great

 

[RM Anderson]

I’ve only used it on fiberglass to be honest idk about plastic. If it does I highly recommend it the stuff is great

Yup, PC Marine is a kneedable paste that works great and sets fast, even underwater.
RM

 

[Chris Hughes]

Jeff,
You might want to check Jamestown Supply,they have a very good technical staff . They have a lot of good products just tell them what you are trying to do.You could also look at Hamilton Marine Supply.

 

[Carl]

Aquabond UW 5000 and JB Waterweld were both recommended as possible solutions by biologists from our team.

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Thanks, all for your thoughts here and via some PMs. I found a spec in a state protocol for this application that recommends this product. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/36712926/technical-data-sheet-simpson-strong-tie

But feedback from those who have used it is that it does not cure well in water temps lower than 50 F, and our application is in cold-water streams where at least nighttime temps are close to that until about mid-summer.

I think I'm going with rebar, cable, zip ties, and anchors instead, which is what everyone else seems to be using.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

I think I'm going with rebar, cable, zip ties, and anchors instead, which is what everyone else seems to be using.

You forgot the duck tape.

 

[HenryHawthorne]

You forgot the duck tape.

And baling wire.

 

[SJ Fairbank]

In all seriousness, a hilte gun might be useful at or just below the water surface.

 

[Jeff Reardon]

And baling wire.

LOL. There's a bag in my truck that has duct tape, parachute cord, zip ties, bungee cord, a utility knife, a multi-tool and a small axe. My wife calls is the BTK killler kit. https://tv.apple.com/us/show/btk-confession-of-a-serial-killer/umc.cmc.3mnxnat1dnx7xbu1zhuadofm6