The flow, pot life and cure of epoxy-based crusher backing compounds are highly dependent on temperature. At mantle and concave changes carried out outdoors in winter, cold material thickens, cannot fill the gaps fully and takes longer to cure; cold metal surfaces also draw heat out of the backing and slow the reaction. In this guide we explain how to plan backing application in cold weather and what to watch for on site.
For the general application steps, see our crusher backing compound guide.
How Does Cold Weather Affect Backing?
| Effect | Result |
|---|---|
| Resin and hardener thicken | Difficult mixing, trapped air bubbles, incomplete mixing |
| Reduced flow | Narrow gaps not filled, porous backing |
| Cold metal surfaces | Slower reaction at the contact zone, weak bond |
| Slower cure | Delayed return to service; crushing if loaded too early |
| Condensation and icing | Moisture on surfaces, poor bond |
Planning Before Application
- Check the data sheet: The product’s recommended application temperature range, minimum surface temperature and cure times at different temperatures are in the data sheet. The plan should be based on these values.
- Store the material somewhere warm beforehand: Kits should be kept in a heated store or container for a sufficient time before application. Avoid heating the material with an open flame or on very hot surfaces.
- Warm the crusher parts: The head, bowl and liners should be brought above the minimum temperature in the data sheet with suitable heaters or heating blankets before the pour.
- Put up an enclosure or cover: Wind and snow quickly cancel out heating. A temporary tent or tarpaulin over the crusher keeps the temperature up.
- Plan the timing: Because the cure will take longer, the return-to-service time should be set accordingly; pouring during the warmest part of the day helps where possible.
- Enough material and a spare kit: Mixing and pouring proceed more slowly in the cold; add a safety margin to the quantity (backing quantity calculation).
During Application
- Temperature measurement: The temperature of the part surfaces and the material is measured with a non-contact thermometer and recorded.
- Moisture check: There must be no condensation, frost or ice on surfaces. Dry them if necessary.
- Mixing: The whole kit is mixed in ratio until a uniform colour is obtained. Mixing time should be watched more carefully with cold material.
- Pouring: The mix is poured immediately and without interruption. If flow is slow, reduce the pour rate and let the material fill the gap from the bottom up.
- Heating during cure: The crusher is kept covered and heated throughout the cure; if the temperature falls, curing can slow almost to a stop.
- Cure check: A sample from the same mix is kept beside the crusher under the same conditions and its hardness checked.
Cold-Region Applications with Aurox
Aurox crusher liner backing compound is a two-component epoxy backing engineered to keep its strength and reliability in cold regions. This helps the backing maintain its performance while the crusher operates in winter. Even so, it is a basic rule for every product that during application the material and parts must be within the temperature range given in the data sheet. For product properties, see our Aurox backing compound guide.
A Short Note on Hot Weather
Summer brings the opposite problem: at high temperatures the pot life shortens and the exothermic reaction speeds up in large masses. Keep the material in the shade and cool, mix and pour kits quickly in small teams, and protect parts from direct sunlight.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Leaving material outdoors and using it straight away | Thick, non-flowing mix; porous backing |
| Warming only the material, not the parts | Weak cure at the contact surface |
| Switching off heating during the cure | Cure stops, soft backing |
| Applying the data sheet time unchanged in cold conditions | Early loading, crushed backing and loose liners |
| Not removing ice and moisture from surfaces | Backing that does not bond |
For the field symptoms of these mistakes and their solutions, see our crusher backing problems guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can backing compound be applied in winter?
Yes, as long as the material and crusher parts are brought to the application temperature in the data sheet and the temperature is maintained throughout the cure.
How should I warm the material?
Keeping kits in a heated store or container is the safest method. Do not heat them with an open flame.
How much longer does curing take in the cold?
It varies by product and temperature; use the temperature-dependent cure tables in the data sheet and confirm with a sample.
CSP Mühendislik Support
CSP Mühendislik helps plan mantle and concave changes and backing application in cold-climate conditions and supplies Aurox backing compound and other crusher backing products from stock. For on-site application, use our service, maintenance and repair services.
