Frequently Asked Questions

When should an epoxy grout like Conbextra EP10M be used instead of a cementitious grout for machinery grouting?

The selection between epoxy and cementitious grout for machinery and equipment grouting depends on the specific performance requirements of the application. Cementitious bearing bed grouts such as Conbextra BB92O and BB92IN are suitable for the large majority of industrial machinery grouting applications — they provide adequate compressive strength, good vibration resistance, and chemical resistance at a competitive cost, and they are simpler to mix and place than epoxy grouts. Epoxy grouts such as Conbextra EP10M are specified for the most demanding applications where one or more of the following requirements apply: the equipment is a high-speed rotating machine generating large cyclic dynamic loads and significant vibration; the machinery foundation is subject to chemical attack from oils, process fluids, acids, or hydraulic fluids that would degrade a cementitious grout over time; the operating temperature of the equipment plinth is elevated (above 50 degrees Celsius continuously) and creep of the grout under thermal load is a concern; or the machinery is exceptionally high-value or critical, and the additional cost of epoxy grouting is justified by the improved protection and longevity of the grouted connection.

What precautions are needed when mixing and placing Conbextra EP10M epoxy grout in Indian summer conditions?

Epoxy resins are temperature-sensitive — higher temperature accelerates the chemical reaction between the resin and hardener, which shortens the pot life (the working time after mixing). In Indian summer conditions with ambient temperatures of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius, the pot life of Conbextra EP10M can be significantly shorter than at the standard reference temperature, which can create difficulties in grouting operations with large bearing gaps that require extended placement time. The following precautions are recommended for hot weather epoxy grouting: store the Conbextra EP10M components in a shaded, cool area (ideally air-conditioned) until immediately before use; cool the aggregate component by storing in shade or in a cool room; if practical, cool the concrete foundation surface with cool water before grouting (dry surface before placing grout); mix only the volume of grout that can be placed within the available pot life; and plan the grouting sequence to avoid mixing too far ahead of placement. The technical data sheet pot life at elevated temperature should be confirmed before planning the grouting sequence.

Can Conbextra EP10M be applied in thin sections and what is the minimum bearing gap it can fill?

Conbextra EP10M can be used for bearing gaps from approximately 15 mm to 100 mm depth in a single pour. For very thin bearing gaps (less than 10 mm), a neat epoxy paste without aggregate filler may be required for complete filling — the aggregate in EP10M (which provides the strength and reduces exotherm) has a maximum aggregate size that limits penetration of very thin gaps. For bearing gaps exceeding 100 mm, the standard approach is to partially fill the gap with clean, pre-dried coarse aggregate and then top up with epoxy grout in a conventional extended grout technique, but this requires confirmation from Fosroc technical support as the thermal management of large-volume epoxy pours requires careful planning. For the typical machinery bearing gap of 25 to 75 mm, Conbextra EP10M is fully appropriate and is the standard choice for high-performance equipment grouting.