The main difference between the two types of adhesives is the drying time. Both epoxy and resin adhesives need to be mixed before use, but epoxy hardens much faster than glue. Epoxy adhesive is much more expensive compared to resin glue, as it has excellent bonding ability that outperforms all types of adhesives. The most notable difference between these two compounds is their intended use.
Epoxy coating resin is designed for surface coating applications, while casting resin is mainly used for jewelry, molds, or figurines. However, we must realize that these two compounds could be used interchangeably, but we will discuss this matter later in the article. The most obvious difference between the two is the intended use. Epoxy resins are designed for coating applications, while casting resins are intended for casting applications such as molds, figurines, jewelry &.
However, that's not to say that either of them works for their opposite intended uses, but rather that we'll talk about it later. Epoxy is a specific type of two-part resin. Epoxy resins are the most commonly used type of resin for making crafts and creating art with resin. Because they are the easiest to measure and mix, epoxy resins are the ones I recommend for resin beginners.
Epoxy resin systems can be custom-made to fit the unique needs of the project. Manufacturers use a variety of coreactants, including, for example, polyfunctional amines, phenols and alcohols, all of which produce slightly different results. The type of epoxy base and the additives in the formula can also change the viscosity and intrinsic properties of the resin. Viscosity describes the degree of resistance of a liquid to flow.
In the context of epoxy resin formulations, viscosity determines if the material will drip or spread evenly and if it should be poured, dipped, or painted onto the material. Viscosity also affects the amount of epoxy that pierces the substrate and the physical properties that are produced. Low-viscosity epoxy resin is thin and works well for deep penetration and filling small cavities. Consistency helps prevent air bubbles, making bonding easier between epoxy and substrate.
You can use low-viscosity epoxy resin for encapsulation, sealing and potting. It is less permeable than low-viscosity formulas and offers greater mechanical strength. The material can withstand moderately high temperatures and is often used for filament winding, vacuum bagging and tools. Epoxy is generally more expensive than resin, due to its strength and formulation requirements.
Resin is more popular for making crafts and jewelry, due to its low cost. However, remember that you get what you pay for. To make things more confusing, differentiating between epoxy and resin is not the right terminology. On the other hand, the resin also comes in different forms including epoxy coating resin, casting resin and the like.
Parallel to the increase in popularity of epoxy resin as a material for creative craft and art projects, the range of different manufacturers and products has multiplied in recent years. When you begin to compare the many shapes and variations of epoxies, glues and resins available today, the results can cause you to scratch your head. Most casting resins and epoxy resins that are intended for the average do-it-yourself enthusiast are not high-temperature epoxies. Epoxies and resins are adhesives commonly used in repairs to homes, automobiles, airplanes and ship buildings.
However, as we have already seen, casting resins can be mixed in different ways to achieve different results. Most epoxy coating resins and casting resins used by the average DIY artist are not high heat resistant epoxies. The market is flooded with different transparent epoxy resins, so choosing the right one for your project can be difficult. .
