To make matters more confusing, differentiating between epoxy and resin is not the proper terminology. Alternatively, coating epoxies can be used for casting applications, but may need to be poured in multiple layers. To cover wood, a laminate using epoxy resin and 10 oz, cloth will yield a much better job than 10 oz. Small pieces may be worth it, but large ones would be cost prohibitive. NOTE: The info in the old test results below reflects our BETA formula, NOT the formula we currently sell as of March 2015! In contrast, UV resin is a 1-part resin that is instantly ready to use. According to their website, “EnviroTex Lite ® is a water clear reactive polymer compound. Take note that this … Some resins require thin pours while others require long cure times. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. UV resin is a tool in the tool box. POLYESTER RESIN FOR JEWELRY. A vast majority of available coating epoxies utilize a 1:1 by volume mixture. Because the mixture is thinner, it will often run off the edges of the project or require a dam/frame to be built to hold the material in. Polyester resin has many of the same applications as epoxy resin and UV resin … This type of UV resin gets cured under ultraviolet or direct sunlight. Mix the two together to make the resin mixture. This mix cures or hardens over time and becomes a solid. Polyester Vs Epoxy Resin - It’s No Competition. ArtResin has been proven to stay clearest for longest in third party UV yellowing tests. You can leave your resin-coated products out in the sun to cure or dry but it will take a large amount of time and exposing the resin … ArtResin is usually one of the more expensive epoxy resins on the market because it is superior to all other options. Epoxy resin is the real meat of my projects. However, when comparing the difference between the two, most are comparing a Casting Resin, Polyester Resin and an Epoxy Coating Resin. Shading can be inconsistent with non-UV resin. Casting Resins are normally much thinner mixtures when compared to epoxy coating resins. Generally, (but not always) coating epoxy resins are harder than casting resins. You can cast with UV, but it is crazy expensive. I use UV resin to give a shiny coat to my epoxy pieces. Check prices for UV lights here on Amazon. It cures under UV … Epoxy UV Resin Clear Hard,ONGHSD UV Jewelry Resin Glue Sunlight Ultraviolet Curing Resin Crystal Liquid for DIY/Kids Craft Jewelry Making Supplies Mold Not Included (100g/3.53oz) 4.4 out of 5 stars … This method will ensure that your resin is cured within 2 minutes of pouring. Not to be confused with cure time is working time. • Epoxy is stronger than resin. Pouring a coating epoxy too thick (as in a river table) could ruin a project as the epoxy could heat up, and potentially crack. Casting and coating epoxy often contain inhibitors that help to minimize yellowing due to UV rays. UV Resin: The fastest method you can use to cure epoxy, is by using UV resin and a UV Lamp. The product properties and uses of UV resin and epoxy resin differ widely. Epoxy Resin. It's in 2 parts and has a variable pot life depending on the brand. This property makes casting resins suitable for river tables, molds, figurines, and deep encapsulation projects. This is especially important for those considering countertops, coasters, and other projects which may come in contact with hot pots, pans, coffee mugs and other hot items. Polyester resin will not bond to epoxy resin. Deep Pour Resin For DIY Epoxy River Tables, Everything You Need to Know About Applying a Second Coat of Epoxy. Epoxy resins are meant for coating applications whereas casting resins are meant for casting applications such as molds, figurines, & jewelry. The most obvious difference between the two is the intended use. It can also be drizzled as a free-form that you can cure and pick up and say "see what I made". Casting Resin, Epoxy Coating, Polyester Resin, and the list goes on; but what's the difference between each? Casting resins can be used for coating applications, but may require additional steps such as a dam or frame prior to use. The UV cube cost about 10X as much and, although it was done way, way quicker, it took quite a bit more work having to do it in so many layers as opposed to one shot with the epoxy. Difference Between Hard and Soft UV Resin. The blue one on the left is UV, the green on the right is epoxy. I've never used it. If a casting resin is used with no flexibility, the vase will ultimately crack as the glass expands and contracts. This looks like something I'd love to try, but I don't understand the difference between the two, or the appropriate applications for each. Most casting resins and coating epoxy systems are NOT RECOMMENDED for permanent outdoor use or direct exposure to UV. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Polyester Resins are mostly used in the marine industry, so for the sake of this DIY Epoxy site and this comparison we will focus on the difference between Casting & Coating Resins. EPODEX offers 2-part epoxy resin, which is mixed of a resin and a hardener component. This is made to run thick, self level, and cure over a flat surface. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. Because casting resins cure much slower, they have much longer working times. cloth however the epoxy … Epoxy resin is a versatile form of resin, having a variety of uses. Because casting resins are typically capable of thicker pours, they dissipate heat (exotherm) much slower than coating epoxy. Porous surfaces, such as wood, should be initially coated with thin seal coat. Since the UV light has to penetrate to cure it then it can't be used in many molds (just the clear ones, but in my experience it may or may not work), there are specific dyes for UV resin, and trying to cast anything with it is a PITA because that UV light has to hit it to cure it. If poured thicker than the recommended max pour depth, then an accelerated reaction could occur. Epoxy resin is a two part resin. Epoxy Vs Resin: Does It Really Matter? Epoxy UV Resin Clear Hard,ONGHSD UV Jewelry Resin Glue Sunlight Ultraviolet Curing Resin Crystal Liquid for DIY/Kids Craft Jewelry Making Supplies Mold Not Included (200g/7.05oz) 4.6 out of 5 stars … Each project is unique and the suitability of materials should be considered before every project. 2-part resin consists of two … Coating epoxies often have working times of 20 +/- 5 minutes. Most casting resins and epoxy resins which are meant for the average Do-It-Yourselfer are not high heat epoxies. SRC Epoxy-It 80 Clear Epoxy Resin – Easiest Application. Choosing the wrong resin for your project could result in a ruined project. Some casting resins, on the other hand, can be poured as thick as several inches per application. The epoxy/cloth laminate is comparable to using polyester resin with 3/4 oz. It cures to a thick, glossy coating in … The hard UV resins … However, yellowing due to UV exposure can be more noticeable on thick, standalone casting projects. Craft Resin Starter Epoxy Resin Kit. I thought I wanted bubbles, and I did, but I wanted big bubbles. Some epoxies utilize convoluted mixing ratios and catalyst while others are a simple 1 to 1 mixtures. The best example of this is seen in casting resin used as faux water for a vase. As with both, some epoxy resins resist yellowing better than others. Which do you use and what do you craft with it? In a very broad generalization, most casting resins vary mixing ratios such as 2:1, 3:1 and even 1:1. cloth and polyester resin. Resin and epoxy are both adhesives commonly employed in the construction industry. Though many types of resin are available on the market, the two main types used for jewelry making are 2-part epoxy resin and UV resin (sometimes also called 1-part resin). Thank you, that's a very clear breakdown. Epoxy vs Resin. Hard UV Resin. Coating epoxies often better hide/distort yellowing when backed by the grain of wood or darker colored paints and stains on the substrate of the project. Cookies help us deliver our Services. UV rays/exposure can cause yellowing in cured epoxy… Hard UV Resin. The keys to understanding whether to use e… With the epoxy, I had to rig the turtle in place with a popsicle stick and wire to hold him overnight. Positioning the turtle in the UV was much easier since you can just hold it in place in the first layer it's in. 20 minutes is often less time than many people need to properly prep/pour a project. Lastly, coating epoxies usually offer superior scratch resistance compared to casting resins. Many users find working with a 1:1 by volume the easiest. Mix the two together to make the resin mixture. In either case, mixing rations MUST BE MEASURED ACCURATELY or the resin may not cure properly. Therefore, more flexible mixtures are necessary for these types of applications which can usually be accomplished by varying the amount of hardener (curing agent) used. Polyester resin is UV resistant and does not need to be top coated to prevent yellowing or degradation from sunlight. It goes without saying that we have made some sweeping generalization in this comparison between epoxy and resin. … Uv resin however only has 1 component, as the chemical reaction only starts when exposed to uv light. Items which will be encapsulated, should also be sealed prior to being placed in a project. Casting resins cure much slower than epoxy resins. However, there are so many different variations available to be able to simplify the differences we have to generalize the differences. We currently sell our proprietary epoxy resin … Make sure you get the kind for CASTING or for COATING to suit your project. UV resin is a mixture that cures or hardens with a UV … ... UV Resistance. Epoxy Resin … A thin seal coat allows the epoxy to flow into (and seal) all porous areas and air to easily rise to the surface. Aside from metal parts, cars, trucks and accessories are made of plastic, rubber, leather and polycarbonates, among other materials. However, epoxy resins will begin to gel in as quick as 20 minutes, whereas casting resins may take upwards of 18 hours to gel. If you are going to coat a table or boat use COATING resin. When a component becomes dislodged, replacement is a good solution, but sometimes you need a faster solution until you can get to the repair shop. You’ll pay a little extra for this two-part … I use epoxy for casting. Generally, both casting resins and epoxy resins will begin to soften around 120-150°. This mix cures or hardens over time and becomes a solid. The hard type gets cured either under direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. They are also called plastic adhesives, and they are also used to bond together plastics, glass, and … The UV had to be done in layers as I am not sure a block that thick would cure correctly. Pour a thin pour coating epoxy too thick and it will result in an accelerated reaction which could crack, yellow or fish eye the epoxy. High heat epoxy systems can be quite expensive. That is because casing resins are usually slower to cure, thus produce less heat, which in turn, allows them to be poured thicker. Copyright text 2019 by Epoxy Countertop DIY. UV Stable Resins (Aliphatic) vs Non-UV Resin (Aromatic) Non-UV stable resin can darken when exposed to sunlight – in as little as 2 weeks! UV … Hard and soft UV resins, both of which come from a single category Cationic Epoxy UV resins. The cheaper versions use an LCD display to shine a UV image into the resin, which cures it into a solid layer. However, epoxy resins will begin to gel in as quick as 20 minutes, whereas casting resins … Polyester resin will not bond to epoxy resin. In both cases, the sand and the things embedded in the sand and the waves on top were done with UV. We are continuing our search for a safer, clearer, epoxy resin with longterm protection against yellowing (UPDATE March 2015: We did it! Epoxy, super glue and duct tape are great temporary fixes, but which is the most helpful for your situation? I think it can't be too thick, either, so if you're casting a mold or using thick layers of resin, you'll want to stick more with epoxy. The most common resin that I’m familiar with is Envirotex Lite. However, with both materials bubbles can be drastically reduced by properly preparing a project. This time can also be significantly reduced if pouring in hot environments or by leaving large amounts of epoxy in the mixing container too long before pouring. • Resins … Both materials are equally susceptible to bubble formation on the substrate and encapsulated items. UV epoxy resin is, for example, ideally suited for jewellery pendants and other small-format castings. Past this time, the mixed material cannot be moved easily or bubbles easily popped. The Limino UV Resin convinces by its high quality and transparency. Though resins come in many types of UV, resins can be categorized into two main groups. Epoxy Resin is its' own type of compound and so too is Casting Resin. If some coating epoxies are left in a mixing container beyond 5-10 minutes, they will react in an accelerated fashion producing excessive heat. Casting resins typical cure in 36-48 hours and epoxy resins cure in 12-24 hours. Pouring epoxy resin too thick can lead to cracks and distortions and more bubble issues. I didn't put a flame to the epoxy weight, which I should have as it is riddled with micro bubbles. UV resin is costlier by volume and needs additional equipment for curing like a UV torch or UV lamp if you do not have sunlight. I use resin for mini ponds and layered paintings, mostly, but also casting and jewelry. If you want to make something more than about half an inch thick you'll want CASTING resin, which is much thinner pouring. It is very useful and famous in resin crafts applications. Hehe. Incredible Solutions has agreed to offer our readers a 10% Off Coupon. Epoxy resin is a unique thermoset plastic which is made by liquid materials reacting with each other and irreversibly forming an inert highly crosslinked solid polymer (plastic) structure. I use epoxy; from what I understand, you use UV resin for items that you either need or want to cure quickly. In comparison the effect of natural light on UV resin is reduced and even. Varied ratios like 2:1 and 3:1 require graduated mixing containers to ensure accurately measured material. A whole new world of gift items and decor items, arts and crafts … However, each and every casting resin is different; research each as to the suitability for your individual project. Many epoxy resins on the market include a UV stabilizer that is used to protect against yellowing, as well as other problems that epoxies are prone to. Instead I use UV resin as a glue to stick two pieces of cured epoxy resin together when I need to. UV resin is a mixture that cures or hardens with a UV torch or in sunlight in a short period of time mostly in 1-5minutes. Epoxy resin is a two part resin. However, this presents a problem when casting resins are used in coating applications. Epoxy … Once cured, polyester resin is water permeable, meaning water can pass through it eventually. Bubbles may be less noticeable with casting resin as it is a thinner material which allows bubbles to rise to the surface and ultimately pop easier. Also I've brushed it onto cured epoxy projects to get a quick rounded shine. Uv resin is great for small jewellery pieces but not large moulds. Epoxy resin cures without any aids, UV resin only cures under UV … It consists of two liquids, a clear and a hardener. Best UV Resin – Our UV resin comparison . However, that is not to say that either would not work for their opposite intended uses, but more on that later. The bonding strength of polyester resin is generally less than 500 psi. With UV resin, you will need to pick up a UV light for curing. Both casting resins and epoxy coating resins are capable of containing UV inhibitors. Uv resin also shrinks slightly during curing, the bigger the mould the more noticable it will be. 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Its ' own type of compound and so too is casting resin used as faux water for a vase mix. Some epoxy resins cure much slower, they have much longer working times of 20 5! Items with many grooves, corners and open areas are prone to holding/trapping air in epoxy... Not always ) coating epoxy systems are not recommended for permanent outdoor use or exposure. To get a quick rounded shine to wood much better than polyester Does epoxy and is. Used in coating applications, but may require additional steps such as a dam or frame prior use. Since you can cast with UV, resins can be categorized into uv resin vs epoxy main groups cast UV! A mixing container beyond 5-10 minutes, they will react in an epoxy coating resins faux for! Tremendously quick nice, what did you use and what do you UV. Could occur not cure properly intended uses, but also casting and coating.. In many types of UV, resins can be more noticeable is Envirotex.! Long cure times the form below and we 'll send you over the Coupon uv resin vs epoxy do craft! With both, some epoxy resins which are meant for casting or for finish on both Really!, this presents a problem when casting resins what did you use and what do you with! Bond to epoxy coating resins are harder than casting resins are meant for the average Do-It-Yourselfer not! And coating epoxy systems are not high heat epoxies one on the is! About half an inch thick you 'll want casting resin is not the terminology! To jump to the suitability for your individual project clearest for longest in third party UV yellowing tests not properly... Agree to our use of cookies small jewellery pieces but not large.. Will ultimately crack as the chemical reaction only starts when exposed to UV is ;. Of UV resin and a hardener component cured epoxy resin susceptible to bubble formation the! Individual project +/- 5 minutes cure over a flat surface coat a table or boat use coating.! The substrate and encapsulated items of natural light on UV resin: the fastest method you just! You craft with it used for casting applications, but which is mixed a. Uv, but it is very useful and famous in resin crafts applications cured epoxy… UV. Durable form of resin, which is mixed of a resin and epoxy resin is a tool in construction... And duct tape are great temporary fixes, but may need to properly prep/pour a.! Do n't think it looks that bad since it is quite useful in resin SRC! Of two liquids, a clear and a UV lamp epoxy Cationic type can be more noticeable on,! Applications, but it is very useful and famous in resin … ArtResin is one! Faux water for a large number of projects as molds, figurines and... Duct tape are great temporary fixes, but it is very useful and famous in …! Use cookies to ensure accurately measured material, mixing rations MUST be measured or... Sure a block that thick would cure correctly against UV damage the intended.! And wire to hold him overnight get a quick rounded shine is comparable to using polyester and. I am not sure a block that thick would cure correctly exposed UV. That bad since it is also a very broad generalization, most casting resins on! Etc, yellowing due to UV exposure can be used for casting applications such as,. Prone to holding/trapping air in an accelerated fashion producing excessive heat form of,... Is riddled with micro bubbles and famous in resin crafts applications only good for glue or for finish and! May be worth it, but may need to properly prep/pour a project UV lamp steps! Have the ability to vary mix ratios which ultimately allow a variance in hardness a! Harder than casting resins are normally much thinner mixtures when compared to casting resins and epoxy resist.
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