🌿 What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word resin?
Perhaps it is walks in the forest where you inevitably end up with sticky fingers and nose, given the irresistible urge to take a little resin from the trunk of a pine tree, which automatically opens up your airways with its refreshing and intoxicating aroma.
But although this association is wonderful, the term goes much further. By definition, we refer to resin as an organic substance with a viscous and sticky consistency, transparent or translucent, which solidifies on contact with air. Its origin can be vegetable, like that of the pine tree from my excursions, or it can be obtained artificially through polymerisation reactions, with multiple industrial and artistic uses, which is what concerns us on this occasion.
A fascinating world therefore opens up for this type of resin, which has excellent technical qualities and is extremely versatile in a wide range of fields. Whether in:
- Its use in paints and finishes (in printing layers, tins and other metal containers, high-resistance flooring, etc.).
- As magnificent structural adhesives (in aeroplanes, cars, bicycles, skis).
- In electrical and electronic systems - being excellent repellents of dust and moisture.
- As a means of protection in boats.
- In art. In fact, as if that were not enough, it also contributes to the display of resistant, bright and colourful manifestations of beauty in the world of art. And the list goes on.
Now it's time to learn a little more about a fascinating type of resin: epoxy.
- Epoxy resin, a star among resins; Epoxy resin deserves more than a special mention. But what exactly is it? Simply put, it is a two-component system: resin (thermosetting polymer) and hardener (catalyst). When these two components are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs whereby the liquid resin gradually hardens to a solid consistency. The most common epoxy resins are the product of a reaction between bisphenol-A and epichlorohydrin.
- A brief history of epoxy resin; The magic began with the discovery of the condensation reaction of epoxides and amines by German chemist Paul Schlack, who patented epoxy resin in 1934. In the 1930s and 1940s, attributions began to proliferate about novel bisphenol-A-based epoxy resins. Among them was Swiss chemist Pierre Castan.
Castan, who initially began creating synthetic resins for uses such as dental prostheses, continued to develop epoxy resin until he achieved a combination of epichlorohydrin and diphenols, promoting it as a suitable material for varnishes and adhesives. His work was authorised by the chemical company Ciba, Ltd. in Switzerland, which became one of the world's largest producers of epoxy resin.
Similarly, in 1946, a chemist named Sylvan Greenlee, on behalf of Devoe & Raynolds Company, patented a new type of resin derived from bisphenol-A and epichlorohydrin.
- Applications and advantages of epoxy resinI; Initially, as already mentioned, epoxy resins were used in dental prostheses, as well as in the manufacture of paints and the bonding of structural elements in the aeronautical industry, which later spread to other industries. Its use quickly spread and evolved, undergoing rapid development in the United States, where it was introduced into the field of construction around 1949.
Once epoxy resin began to take off in its industrial uses in the 1940s and 1950s, its use in art became equally popular. Artists began mixing epoxy resin with pigment and using it as a painting medium that was meant to be poured in layers.Thus, jewellers and mixed-media artists began using the compound to capture and preserve natural materials, make découpage, and create art on tables and countertops.
Since then, the creations that emerge from the inspiration and technical mastery of those who use epoxy in their works have given us authentic dreamlike experiences materialised in sculptures, paintings, designer tables, or whatever medium the artist has chosen.
This rapid evolution and success has not been accidental, as it never is. Its excellent properties give it a number of advantages, such as:
- Rapid solidification; A high degree of adhesion to multiple surfaces;
- Great toughness and excellent durability; Remarkable resistance to breakage and superb chemical resistance to acids, alkalis, and solvents.
The result is a clear, shiny surface that stands out for its excellent thermal, chemical, physical, and mechanical resistance. Beauty, although subjective by nature, is also undeniable when expressed in artistic creations.
- Basic factors to consider before working with epoxy resins. If you are interested in starting to work with epoxy resins to unleash your creativity and skills, here are some basic considerations before you get started:
- Depending on the thickness where you are going to use the resin, you need to know which resin to use. For example, for thicknesses of 1.5 cm or more, epoxy resin should be used, and for thicknesses or heights less than that, transparent resin should be used, mixing components A and B according to the manufacturer's instructions. This must be strictly adhered to in order to mix correctly when pouring and subsequently placing it on the piece, which must be properly prepared for this.
- When the resin is catalysed, the temperature can reach 90 degrees Celsius. Once the catalysis begins to decrease, the hardening process begins, which ends with complete solidification.
- Do not forget to monitor the ambient temperature. It is best to keep it between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius for the process to be more efficient.
- Before starting to work with the resin, check that there are no suspended particles in the environment such as dust, hairs or lint, as these will solidify and cannot be removed from the piece afterwards.
- If you intend to apply the resin to wooden pieces, be sure to seal the pores where the resin will go beforehand to reduce the appearance of bubbles. For this sealing process, use a small amount of clear resin in a small mixture and apply it with a brush to the area where the final resin will be applied.
- One last point that I consider essential is to take time into account. The drying process can take up to 6 or 7 hours, and it is important to check for bubbles during the first two or three hours, removing them with a blowtorch. Depending on the size of the piece, you can use a small one or a professional one that can cover a larger area.
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Are you ready to be won over by epoxy resins?
After gathering and studying all the necessary information—including reading this post—perhaps taking a course or practising alongside experts, the time has finally come to work with epoxy resins, or why not, to enjoy a unique piece that features them. I hope you enjoy every minute of the process and that you fall in love with the result as much as I did.
Thank you for reading,
With love,
Liliana Castillo
