Epoxy additive recommendation

[WinnebagoPaddles]

Hi! First time post and I'm hoping to get some recommendations.

First off, I own a custom canoe paddle company. To this point, I have been using epoxy thickened with silica and color pigment for tip protection on some of my paddles. This serves it's purpose and provides a nice hard tip to help protect the wooden paddle. However, thickened epoxy has no pliability and will crack over time with rough usage.

I'm wondering if anyone has some ideas on other additives that may offer more shock absorption and pliability. If not pliable, would there be a better material that may be harder and less "crackable" than the silica?

Another company, Bending Branches uses a urethane material derived from inline skate wheels, which makes me wonder about other possibilities.

Some ideas I had were ground tire rubber (http://www.quadratec.com/products/14066 ... AhGX8P8HAQ)

or the other extreme would be carbide steel powder?

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated....thanks!!!

[mangozac]

Does it need to be epoxy? As you mention other manufacturers using, polyurethanes are available in a varying hardnesses and even a rubbery finish.

[WinnebagoPaddles]

I suppose it doesn't need to be epoxy-based. Do you have any recommendations with the polyurethanes? Don't have much background with them so any tips or suggestions would give me a head start! Thanks!

[mangozac]

Smooth On are the most popular supplier I know of in the US, but any other industrial resin supplier should be able to advise something.

[Fleafa]

I'd speak to the major manufacturers of various urethane resins and rubbers and then buy some samples of their recommendations.