Epoxy Vs Resin [Major Differences Described]

If you are an origami enthusiast or a DIY project lover, you know how important resins are, right? Resins can give much-needed stability and durability to your crafting projects. And, it can be used as a protective shield on all types of objects as well.

Though there are different types of resins available out there on the market, which one should you buy? Well, we will help you get acquainted with the 2 major types of resins: Epoxy vs Resins (casting resin). 

To put it simply, Epoxy resin cures itself very quickly whereas Resin (casting) takes longer to cure. And, Epoxy transforms into a fully rigid structure while Resins tend to resemble a bit rubbery physical characteristic.

Wanna know more about this topic? Just go through our whole discussion till the very end. So, let’s get started!

Epoxy Vs Resin

Contents

Resin! What Is It?

Resins are a special type of chemical that has a high viscous physical structure. And, resins can also create long polymer molecular chains. 

Its ability to create gummy thin films makes it the perfect chemical to be used as adhesives or coating materials. Resin can solidify into solid-like objects and also be used as strong binders between building blocks of DIY projects.

The resins are primarily made of organic compounds. So, their molecular structure normally contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Also, this gum-like compound can be mixed with color pigments, it can be utilized as colorized adhesives too. 

Furthermore, modern-day resins can also be manufactured synthetically. The prime example of synthetically manufactured resin is plastic. 

Types Of Resins:

Nowadays, there are mainly 3 types of resins available on the market: polyester resin, casting resin, and epoxy coating resin. 

While polyester-based resins are mostly used for constructing plastic structures, casting resins have a lot more diverse application fields such as being used as fillings, molds, color coatings, etc. 

On the other hand, epoxy resins are also very useful because they can be utilized as quick fillings, waterproof coating, etc.

Epoxy Vs Resin: What’s The Difference?

The term “Epoxy Vs Resin” is not actually a correct term to use in this context. When people search online with the term “Epoxy Vs Resin”, they usually look for the difference between epoxy resins and casting resins. 

So, let’s get to know the major differences between these 2 types: epoxy resins and casting resins.

Difference In Field Of Usage:

For epoxy resins, the main application field lies in wooden physical structures. Epoxy resins are used to provide a coating layer that gives an extra durability feature to wooden structures. 

Plus, this type of resin is well known to be used for water-resistant coating as well. In addition, epoxy resins have the amazing capability of bonding multiple wooden surfaces together.

On the other hand, the main application field of casting resins is in the area of crafting where it’s used as mold or figurines.

Difference In The Viscousness:

Epoxy resins are relatively way more viscous than their other counterparts. It’s a very thick and heavy paste-like material that has gum-like characteristics. Its special characteristic is that it releases heat to solidify itself.

On the flipside, casting resins are lighter and less viscous relative to epoxy resins. In the time of using the casting resins as coatings, it can slip off the surface of the object you are applying it to. Because it’s very light in terms of viscosity.  So, you have to be careful while applying the casting resins in your DIY projects.

Difference In Cure Time Duration:

First off, you should know that the “cure time” refers to the time required for resins to solidify into their final form. The lesser the cure time is, the more quickly it is likely to mold itself into its final form.

For epoxy resins, the cure time is relatively lesser than its other counterpart. They will likely take around 12 to 24 hours to solidify and cure themselves. 

This means you’ll have to be very quick when you are applying epoxy resins. Because epoxy resins can solidify very quickly, you cannot change their shape after 20 to 30 minutes of application. 

On the other hand, casting resins takes 24 to 48 hours to cure themselves. So, you can take your time and apply the casting resins for a longer period of time.

Difference In Gel Time:

The term “gel time” refers to the time duration after which a resin cannot change its shape. This means that after the gel time has passed, the resins will turn into a gel-like structure (from liquid form) and resist any more reshaping.

Now, compared to other types of resins, epoxy resins convert into gel-like structures very quickly. After you have applied it, it’ll only take about 20 minutes for the epoxy resin to create a gel-like physical form. 

When the gel time is over, you cannot ever change the form of the epoxy resins. This means you have to keep an eye on the clock as you apply epoxy resins to a physical substance.

On the flip side, casting resins do not solidify into a gel-like structure very easily. This is why you can take your time and reshape it many times before it forms into a gel.

Difference In Hardness Of Finished Products:

Generally, epoxy resins will turn into the hardest type of object when they have completely solidified. Compared to casting resins, epoxy resins have the ability to form a way more rigid structure.

In the case of casting resins, because they take longer to harden their physical structure, they are not as hard as epoxy resins. 

Luckily, you have the option to mix the 2 types of resins to create structures with variable hardness. According to the will of the user, the 2 types of resins can mix together and provide just the right amount of hardness the user wants.

Difference Between The Transparency Of The Finished Products:

Compared to casting resins, epoxy resins are relatively less clear when they are fully solidified. Using epoxy resins, you can get more intricate patterns in terms of appearance. 

On the other hand, because casting resins are relatively clearer, they can only form transparent or semi-transparent forms. So, for building translucent or transparent DIY projects, casting resins are the perfect material to use.

Difference In Mixing Ratio:

By “mixing ratio”, we mean the ratio of the resin material and the curing agent. 

For epoxy resins, the ratio is a mixture of resins, and curing agents will most likely be 1:1. Although there are exceptions to it, you’ll see most epoxy resins providing the best result while mixed in a 1:1 ratio.

On the other hand, the casting resins can have many mixture ratios. Depending on the instructions of the manufacturer, the mixture ratio of resin and curing agent can change. But, generally speaking, you’ll see most casting resins being instructed to be used in a 3:1 ratio.

What You’ve Been Missing

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Final Words

Well, there you go. Now that you’ve got a skinny on “epoxy vs resins (casting resins)”.

remember that if you know the difference between these two, you can utilize them to their fullest extent.

To state in short, epoxy resins are quicker in their action, and casting resins are more flexible in terms of the time duration needed for the application. 

Also, if you want a more hardened structure, you have to choose epoxy resins. Whereas, for a more flexible physical structure, you choose the casting resins. Thank you so much for dropping in today, you guys are the bee’s knees!!!

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