Kit includes clear resin and clear hardener.
Using transparent epoxy resin, you can create products of complex spatial shapes, for this reason the name 3D resin is also used. The technology for creating finished products is typical for epoxy resins - a hardener is introduced into the liquid resin part, the mixture is mixed, and then poured into the finished mold, where it hardens.
The main advantage of this compound is transparency; the material will not become cloudy over time even under direct rays sunlight, therefore this resin is successfully used to create decorative elements interior Another important property of this compound is low viscosity, this is especially important when pouring small parts complex shape. The compound flows around each element, releasing air bubbles, resulting in products High Quality. In addition, resin can be purchased inexpensively. Thanks to the transparency of epoxy resin, the designer has rich creative opportunities for introducing various handmade products into the thickness of the material - these can be stones, insects, figurines, maps.
Scope of application of clear epoxy resin for pouring
Opti's clear epoxy resin allows you to create durable products that maintain their clarity over time. long years. The manufacturer recommends creating products with a thickness of 10 to 100 mm, but products with a smaller thickness also work well. In principle, the scope of application of the compound is limited only by the imagination of the person using the 3D resin for pouring. It is most often used for:
Creating transparent tables and countertops complex shapes;
Making various figurines;
Castings of key rings and pendants;
Restoration and decoration various materials(wood, stone) by pouring;
Creation of various decorations with a smooth surface;
Optically transparent creative resin provides people with an inexpensive tool for creating unique products. For example, using various dyes you can create a 3D optical illusion. It could be fish in an aquarium or a submarine - everything is limited only by a person’s desire. IN in this case paints and a mixture of resin and clear hardener are applied to the mold layer by layer, resulting in a full three-dimensional image, frozen in a layer of transparent epoxy resin.
It is also popular to use transparent resin in combination with phosphor, which is powders that absorb light, and in the dark it begins to emit it, creating a soft and pleasing glow to the eye. Using the compound, you can create a transparent tabletop by introducing a phosphor into it, and also create a backlight in it by placing LEDs inside the resin.
The use of this compound allows you to create interior items for your home that cannot be purchased in retail trade, since they are 100% original, and the price of the resin is low.
Selection of fillers and colorants for epoxy resins
Transparent epoxy resin can become the basis for creating colored products. Dyes, which are natural materials (for example, mica) coated with oxide films that impart the required color, have become widespread. Since the dye particles are indistinguishable to the human eye (size ranges from 5 to 200 microns), they are evenly distributed throughout the thickness of the product, giving it a color that is pleasing to the eye. Dyes based on solutions of organic dyes are also common.
Almost any materials can be used as filler - insects, natural and artificial materials, various costume jewelry, phosphor, etc.
Technical Specifications of Opti Clear Epoxy Resin
Mode of application
To mix resin with hardener, use a ratio of 100:40 wt. For 100 grams of resin, take 40 grams of hardener.
First, you need to mix the resin part for 2 minutes; it is optimal to use a drill or mixer with an attachment for high-quality mixing. Then you should enter required amount hardener, calculated in accordance with technical characteristics resin. After this, use a mixing device to mix the resulting mixture for 2-3 minutes, then pour it into a working container, mix again and immediately begin application.
Important! The quality of the surface depends on the quality of mixing the resin with the hardener.
When stirring, air bubbles form in the compound; to eliminate them from the resin, you can mix the resin and hardener in a static mixer. Another way to remove bubbles from ready mixture– placing the mixture or poured mold in a vacuum installation. It is important to remove the resin from the installation to air after removing the bubbles, since when hardening in a vacuum, the workpiece will become deformed and turn yellow.
For filling small parts in a mass of up to 200 g. a flat and smooth surface is obtained.
To make large products weighing more than 300 grams, they must be poured in layers, with the thickness of the first layer being no more than 15 mm, the thickness of each subsequent layer being 10 mm. When applying the compound in layers, you need to wait until the previous layer dries to tack. The approximate time between pouring a new layer is about 14-17 hours. If the top layer is cured, the previous layer must be matted with fine sandpaper and degreased.
It is important that the surface where the transparent resin will be applied is pre-matted with fine sandpaper and degreased. It is undesirable to heat the compound above 25-30 degrees, because This may cause warping and yellowing.
Complete hardening of the material occurs within 2-3 days; it is recommended to keep the product for up to 5 days before active use.
Pouring 3D products with transparent epoxy resin
The main danger when filling molds with resin is the formation of air bubbles that remain in the finished product. To avoid this, simply pour the mixture of epoxy resin and transparent hardener from one container to another several times, leaving bubbles on the walls of the containers. Large bubbles can be removed mechanically- for example, a needle.
It is important to remember that the mold for pouring must be dry and clean with a smooth surface; all defects in the mold will inevitably appear on the surface of the finished product.
Safety precautions when working with epoxy resin
When you have to work with a large volume of resin for pouring, it is advisable to provide good ventilation– carry out work in a ventilated area, use an exhaust hood. A protective mask or respirator would also be useful; it is important to protect your eyes from getting resin. In a liquid state, the resin and hardener can be harmful to the skin, respiratory system and eyes.
Shelf life
The shelf life of clear epoxy resin is 12 months.
Where can I buy
You can buy high-quality transparent epoxy resin with hardener in Moscow from our company, located at Moscow, Varshavskoye sh., 125, building 1, section 9, office.
Epoxy resin- this is a material that has unique characteristics, which makes it possible to use it for the manufacture of not only aesthetically perfect interior items, but also with high practicality and performance characteristics. Epoxy resin is often used to make countertops, or rather to fill them, to give them strength and amazing appearance.
This material is a synthetic compound of oligomers. Means does not apply in pure form and is only used in composition of the mixture, since the material acquires properties only after contact with the hardener.
Changing the main components of the mixture allows you to end up with a material with different characteristics:
- solid;
- liquid;
- high strength;
- rubbery.
The use of resin depends on the modification of the material. There are two types of epoxy: chemical and physical.
Chemical is characterized by the fact that various chemical components, for example, polyester alcohols, are used to obtain the characteristics of the main ingredient.
Physical modification is obtained by mixing the resin with substances that do not change it chemical properties, because they do not form bonds.
Advantages and disadvantages
The most important advantage that epoxy resin has is the preservation of volume when hardening.. If compared with varnish, which is also used to create outer covering, then it hardens when the moisture contained in the composition evaporates, which leads to shrinkage.
The hardening of epoxy resin is associated with chemical reaction, and after complete drying, a perfectly flat surface is obtained that is not subject to chipping or deformation.
Also positive qualities epoxy resin is its reasonable cost. Compared to other materials that are used to harden the surface, it saves money. The average cost varies between 200 and 280 rubles per kilogram of product. If a wholesale batch is purchased, the price will be reduced.
Since during the process of pouring the countertop, stabilization of the wood base is observed due to the filling of the pores with material, this leads to the creation reliable protection wood from the negative and destructive effects of ultraviolet rays, solvents and organic substances.
The main advantages of using epoxy are:
- No shrinkage after drying.
- Obtaining a perfectly flat surface.
- Creating a coating that is resistant to mechanical stress.
- The resulting surface does not require special selection of care products, since it remains immune to the effects household chemicals.
- UV resistance.
- Spectacular appearance. Using resin you can create unique patterns.
Despite the large number of advantages, this material is not without its disadvantages:
- To obtain a high-quality filling, full compliance with the proportions of the ingredients included in the mass is required.
- When working, strict compliance with safety rules is required.
- If there is a sudden drop in temperature while working with epoxy resin, multiple flocculent inclusions may appear.
- Strong heating of the material will lead to the release of toxic substances.
To avoid the last two troubles when working, it is recommended to warm the tabletop to 50-60 degrees, and to avoid the release of toxins, it is necessary to cover the surface with a thin layer of transparent varnish.
Characteristics of the resin according to the characteristics of the hardeners used
Since it is not possible to use the material separately, and its use requires the presence of a hardener, the combination of these two components results in a material with different properties.
Also depending on the materials used, curing of the material occurs over a wide temperature range: from -10 to +200 degrees. In this case, the resin is divided into hot and cold type.
The hardener in the resin plays the role of a polymerizing component. For these purposes, tertiary amines or phenols are used. The proportions of resin and hardener are variable and should be determined based on the input ingredients.
At its core "epoxy" is a thermoset plastic therefore, when interacting with the hardener, a polymerization reaction occurs, which is irreversible, which ultimately leads to obtaining the required surface strength.
To form a coating of the required quality, it is possible only if the proportion of ingredients is observed. Typically, for modern resins, 1:2 or 1:1 is sufficient, as indicated by the manufacturer on the product packaging.
There is a misconception that using more hardener will cause faster curing. But this is not true. The only way to speed up the hardening process is to increase the temperature. It has been experimentally proven that an increase in performance by 10 degrees leads to an acceleration of 2-3 times.
Overview of the main brands on the market
On construction market There are several popular varieties available of this material, which can be used to cover countertops when making furniture with your own hands:
- QTP-1130. A type of epoxy resin that is distinguished by increased transparency and the ability to self-level after application. That is why it is recommended to use it when you need to create a coating no more than 3 mm thick.
- Art-Eco. Products Russian production, which can also be used to obtain a thin coating, which is achieved by adding the correct amount of hardener. Additionally, the manufacturer specializes in the production of tinting compounds necessary to give the final product the required color. Users also mention two disadvantages of this composition - the possibility of yellow tint and incomplete hardening.
- ED-20. Another product from a Russian factory. On specialized forums you can find more negative ones than positive feedback. The main disadvantage of resin is the high content of air bubbles, which are almost impossible to remove. Also, over time, the coated surface turns yellow and becomes opaque. The only advantage can be considered low cost.
- CHS Epoxy One of the best lineups on the market, which is ideal for covering surfaces with complex terrain.
- Crystal Glass. A resin characterized by its fluidity, which makes it ideal for use with complex fillers such as coins, lids, grass or flowers, which are used to decorate tabletops.
- PEO-610KE. High-quality Russian resin that does not change its color over time, even when the coating is directly exposed to direct sunlight.
- EpoxAcast "Epoxy", which is devoid of serious shortcomings. Throughout the entire service life of the countertop, it will retain its quality and appearance. Also, the composition does not deteriorate when exposed to elevated temperature, which allows you to place the products next to heating devices.
- MG-Epox-Strong. A composition that is recommended by many experts as the only one for covering countertops. This brand has ideal ratio prices and quality.
How to work with epoxy resin correctly
To obtain a real work of art when covering a countertop with epoxy, it is recommended to listen to the advice of experts. In particular:
- hardening will occur faster in a warm room;
- to prevent deformation of the surface, it is strictly forbidden to heat it from above;
- mixing resin and hardener at high speeds is not allowed, as this leads to the appearance of air bubbles;
- to eliminate bubbles, you should walk over the surface with a burner, without stopping in one place;
- the appearance of unfrozen areas will indicate uneven mixing of the ingredients;
- The situation can be corrected by pouring the mixture from one container to another during kneading, carefully collecting the remains along the walls and bottom.
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If you are interested in epoxy, as a very interesting synthetic substance is commonly called, then you want to expand your horizons and find out what transparent epoxy resin for pouring is, why it is needed and where it can be used..
The epoxy itself is liquid substance
The synthetic oligomeric compound is called epoxy resin, which reveals itself in all its glory only with the participation of a hardener - the polymerization process occurs. If you combine different kinds resins and hardeners, you can get a material with different characteristics: hard, hard, soft or rubber-like. Epoxy resin is resistant to acid, halogens, alkali, but dissolves in acetone and esters. When using a hardener, the polymerized composition does not emit any volatile substances.
What can be made from epoxy resin
Not long ago, epoxy became a discovery. The substance itself has been used since the mid-20th century, but it has gained particular popularity in recent years.
Epoxy resin jewelry: a frozen fairy tale
Creative people once decided to try to replicate a natural miracle: if an insect is frozen forever in amber, then you can probably try using epoxy for the experiment. It is not known who first came up with this idea, but it became the impetus for a whole trend in Handmade: jewelry made from epoxy resin Crystal divinely beautiful.
Lovers of special jewelry do not stop with already tested products and are constantly looking for new solutions.
Furniture made of wood and epoxy resin: a new word in decor
Transparent epoxy resin began to be actively used for filling wood. It turned out that it is not so difficult create a table from literally any processed driftwood, and it quickly turns into a magical miracle.
Epoxy wood glue is made by mixing resin with some hardener. This glue is suitable for various non-porous surfaces.
Pouring the floor with epoxy resin
Thanks to your operational characteristics Epoxy has been successfully used to fill floors: wonderful 3D floors have earned all the praise.
Minus flooring high labor costs and financial investments can be calculated. In order for the floor to be truly durable, it must be poured in strict accordance with the rules.
Other Applications
It was listed above modern use epoxy in different directions of design and Handmade, but there is also a traditional use that dates back more than half a century. Fiberglass is impregnated with epoxy and glued together. various elements in the field of electrical engineering, radio electronics, automotive and aviation industries. The resin has found its application in construction, shipbuilding and mechanical engineering. In construction, epoxy serves as an excellent material for waterproofing premises.
Related article:
: what it is, its scope and main properties; How to choose and use material in the manufacture of various products - in our publication.
Chemical composition and components for epoxy resin
Epoxy resin is a solution of monomers, oligomers or polymers containing at least two epoxy or glycidyl groups. They are located at the ends and along the main chain of the molecule or in the alicycle ring and are capable of forming cross-linked polymers under the action of a hardener.
Hardeners and plasticizers
In order for epoxy to become a full-fledged polymer, two components are added to it as a base: a hardener and a plasticizer.
The proportions of base and hardener are variable, and it is important to remember that the polymerization process is irreversible. An excess or deficiency of the hardening component affects the quality of the product: there will be no promised strength, resistance to heat, aggressive chemicals and water, the substance will be sticky.
Attention! Different resin and hardener compounds require different proportions, which is necessarily reflected in the instructions.
If the product should not be fragile, a plasticizer is added. If you ignore this element, then large product will be brittle and cracked. There is a universal plasticizer dibutyl phthalate ( DBP ), but since it does not react very well with epoxy, the entire composition is heated to 60 ° C for 3 hours, stirring constantly. Resin DEG-1 It is also a plasticizer that reacts well with the base and gives a good plastic effect. The disadvantage of such a component is that it gives brown tint the final product.
Fillers and Solvents
To save an expensive base, a filler is added to its composition. Typically this component is represented by fine mineral powder. Both Portland cement and quartz sand can be used. When fillers are included, the fragility of the product increases.
For some oligomers ( ED-16 And ED-20 ) due to their characteristics, the addition of acetone, alcohol, benzene or ethyl acetate is required. This allows you to add more filler to a highly viscous liquid, but the composition becomes flammable and explosive. Good solvent is slamour - shale modifier.
Performance characteristics of clear epoxy resin
Epoxy products have their own characteristics:
- the adhesive seam is highly durable;
- shrinkage is minimal;
- in solid form, moisture permeability is insignificant;
- resistance to abrasive wear.
Popular Brands of Clear Epoxy Resin
Epoxy diane resins ED-20 And ED-22 are considered universal. Among the imported compositions, it stands out YD-128 , which is widely used in many industries. Most often used for making jewelry Epoxy Crystal PLUS .
How to use epoxy resin
Without experience, it is difficult to prepare a composition of any color from transparent epoxy, but a beginner can easily glue it with epoxy resin, since this does not require any special skills. After practicing on a small scale, you can start working on large-scale products.
How to make epoxy resin
If you neglect the rules and instructions and do not calculate the quantity of all components, then the composition will quickly become dense and inapplicable. Moreover, the composition is prone to spontaneous combustion if the heating process is disrupted. To prevent this from happening, you need to select a suitable hardener, and do not forget to purchase a resin specifically for the chosen purpose.
If you need to prepare large volume composition, then the resin must first be heated - this will reduce the viscosity. The heating temperature is very important, since even an increase of 10°C sharply accelerates the polymerization process.
First, add a plasticizer during heating and mix the entire volume with a construction mixer or drill with an attachment. The maximum proportion of plasticizer is 10%. After the resin has cooled to 30°C, pour in the hardener in a ratio of 1:10 (you can vary it a little here). Stirring must be constant! Otherwise, the hardener will not distribute evenly and will bleed out.
Important! Exceeding the concentration of the hardener will lead to boiling of the epoxy composition and its deterioration.
Pouring products with epoxy resin
The product must not contain air bubbles, and for this the curing process must proceed smoothly and evenly. You can fill a product thicker than 2 mm in layers: each layer is applied to the already polymerized previous one.
As soon as the work is completed, the finished product must be kept at a temperature slightly above room temperature. Primary polymerization occurs after 3 hours, and complete polymerization occurs after heating in an oven after 6 hours. If there are no such conditions and curing occurs at room temperature, then the product will be ready in a week.
Safety precautions when working with epoxy resin
The most important thing in the work is to remember that the composition is hazardous to health in an unpolymerized form.
The safety rules are:
- it is prohibited to use food utensils for working with epoxy;
- if the finished product is polished, this is done with safety glasses and a respirator;
- remember the shelf life and temperature not exceeding 40°C;
- if the composition gets on the skin, it should be washed off immediately with soap and water;
- all work is carried out in a well-ventilated area.
If epoxy resin comes into contact with skin, immediately wash it off with soap and water or wipe it with denatured alcohol.
Making your own products from epoxy resin - nuances
To epoxy product It turned out perfect, you need to remember some manufacturing points:
- the surface to be treated must first be degreased;
- The gloss on the surface is removed by sanding sandpaper or with a special machine, the dust is removed with a vacuum cleaner;
- if the work is done by applying layers, then they are applied to the previous layer that has not completely polymerized;
- at the beginning of work, the resin is liquid and perfectly fills all corners of the mold, and when slightly thickened, it forms the lenses well;
- epoxy resin will not glue polyethylene, silicone, polypropylene, rubber, but these materials are very suitable as molds;
- During the hardening process, the rubber phase begins - at this time the product can be bent if necessary, but it will need to be secured in this position.
It is unacceptable to work at high humidity air and do not allow moisture to get into the resin. There is also no point in making products at high temperatures; the composition can boil and form a lot of bubbles.
When a bubble appears near the surface, you need to blow on it through a drinking straw.
Advice! If you do not want the resin to turn yellow over time, you need to buy a composition with a UV filter.
At what price can you buy transparent epoxy resin for pouring - review of current offers
Now briefly about the main thing: where to buy epoxy resin and how much it costs.
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Epoxy resin for pouring countertops: which one to choose and which hardeners are best to use in the manufacture and repair of furniture.
Almost every woodworkers and craftsman forum is filled with criticism of ED-20 resin, through which people not only wasted money, but also ruined the original material. The main disadvantage of domestic epoxy (at a low price) is its high degree of viscosity (not all air bubbles come out), and over time the material tends to lose transparency and acquire a yellowish tint.
What is the best resin to choose for making a transparent tabletop? For coffee tables and desks, you can use acrylic resins intended for floors or bathtubs. For example, if the thickness of the fill does not exceed 3 mm, QTP-1130 is suitable; it has a high degree of transparency, as well as self-leveling properties. There are different reviews about the popular composition "Art-Eco", for some it does not harden completely and gives a yellowish tint in the light. Others respond positively. However, for thin layers
, such a resin will most likely fit without problems, especially if you add a little more hardener. “Art-Eco” has good colors; if you want to have a transparent layer with some tint, then their use is 100% justified.
For more complex tabletops, for example, when working with filler (lids, coins, herbarium), a proven option is CHS Epoxy 520 resin together with 921OP hardener. This is the most popular option. 520 resin is also often replaced by Crystal Glass, but it is more fluid and more suitable for thin layers, although it is somewhat better in transparency (but not much). The proportions are 2:1, that is, one part of the resin is one hardener.
Probably 520 epoxy is the best option, although it is often criticized.
Tests for photoresistance show that Russian PEO-610KE resin and imported EpoxAcast 690 do not turn yellow at all. So if the table will be standing in the sun, then these options are worth considering for the tabletop.
It is also worth considering one important point– the quality of formulations often differs due to expiration dates (in stores they re-stick labels), counterfeits, and simply due to manufacturing defects.
Errors when filling
Often, epoxy resin for pouring countertops is criticized due to the lack of experience when working with it. Even expensive ones jewelry resins harden unevenly if mistakes are made when preparing the mixture. So, here are some tips for working with resin for countertops:
Use electronic scales when determining proportions. First, pour in the resin, weigh it, then, based on this weight, calculate the proportions of the hardener, and then pour it in.
After mixing, pour into another container. If you get stains or uncured areas when pouring, this means that the epoxy resin and hardener were mixed unevenly. This usually occurs due to sticking to the sides of the container, so better composition pour several times from one bottle to another, stirring for a long time each time.
Mix with a spatula or thick spatula without removing from the mixture. To avoid bubbles, mix the epoxy with the hardener with a thick mixer, being careful not to bring it to the surface.
So many spend a long time looking for which epoxy resin to choose for filling the countertop, but it is not the composition that is to blame, but the mistakes that the master makes, for example, when mixing components.
Epoxy has unique characteristics that allow you to create aesthetically pleasing and incredibly practical things, from small decorations to floors in an apartment or house. Epoxy resin is also used to fill the countertop.
This coating is not afraid of mechanical and chemical damage and looks really impressive, especially when using decoupage or similar techniques. The whole process will require funds personal protection and accuracy, but no special tools or special skills are needed. Read more about the filling method in our article.
Features of the material
The epoxy countertop filler is two-component and includes a hardener and resin. After hardening, the substance does not decrease in volume and does not become covered with cracks; it perfectly fills small irregularities. The material is resistant to moisture, it cannot be scratched, but when exposed to high temperature melts.
Typically, epoxy is an expensive material, but it turns out to be cheap when compared with analogues for treating surfaces with increased stress on abrasion, moisture and mechanical damage. Price epoxy filling as of 2018 varies between 200 and 800 rubles per kilogram, Wholesale price will be even lower, 180-190 rubles.
When filling the countertop with epoxy, the wood is stabilized: its pores are filled with resin. As a result, the tree becomes invulnerable to ultraviolet radiation, solvents, and organics.
In addition to operational properties, epoxy resin also has decorative advantages. With its help, patterns, decorations, and imitations are created. For example, a table with a “flowing river” pattern. Epoxy resin has excellent paintability and allows you to create various shapes(the thicker the consistency, the easier), although this applies more to the glue than to the pouring.
Advantages of a countertop coated with epoxy resin:
- After drying, the substance does not shrink.
- After hardening, the surface becomes perfectly smooth, like glass.
- Resistant to damage caused by mechanical impact (dents, chips, cuts).
- It is immune to the effects of moisture and aggressive household cleaning products, therefore it does not require a special selection of care methods.
- Does not degrade under the influence of ultraviolet rays.
- Looks impressive.
Epoxy resin for pouring countertops also has its disadvantages:
- To make a high-quality fill, you will need to strictly adhere to the proportions of the components.
- It is necessary to work in compliance with safety rules as strictly as possible.
- A sharp drop in temperature will lead to the appearance of white flocculent inclusions in the deep layers.
- When heated strongly, the material will release toxic chemicals. human body substances.
Advice! Dealing with the last two shortcomings is very simple. To remove white flakes that appear, heat the countertop to +50-60˚ C. To prevent the release of toxins during heating, coat the countertop with an additional protective transparent varnish.
There are several types of countertops made using epoxy:
- Made entirely of resin, without support. This type is most often found in the production of coffee or coffee tables, for which significant loads are not planned.
- Made from boards and coated with epoxy as a protective layer. The role of the base can be played by a board made of any material: solid wood, multiplex, paneled surface, fibreboard, chipboard, OSB, etc. Before pouring, such tabletops are often decorated (with print, stencil painting, paper elements, according to the decoupage principle, mosaics, flowers, coins, shells - whatever).
- Combined, when resin alternates with fragments of another material, most often wood.
The base can have any shape (square, round), it is important to make the sides of the required height so that after the pour hardens side surfaces the countertops were smooth and level.
Advice! When choosing a material for decorating a tabletop, remember that the more embossed the decoration, the thicker the layer of fill will have to be made; it will take longer to dry.
Review of brands
There are several popular types of epoxy resin that craftsmen use to create countertops:
- QTP-1130 perfect for creating a transparent table top for a desk or coffee table, if the fill layer is no thicker than three millimeters. The resin is particularly transparent and self-leveling.
- "Art-Eco" is most suitable for the production of thin layers, especially when a sufficient amount of hardener is added. In addition, this manufacturer produces excellent colors that allow you to give the epoxy any shade. Reviews about “Art-Eco” on the forums are different, there are good and bad. From negative points the appearance of a yellowish tint in the light and not completely hardening are mentioned.
- "ED-20"- the main disadvantage is the increased viscosity of the substance, which makes removing air bubbles from the mass very problematic. After some time, the ED-20 countertop loses its transparency and becomes yellowish. Craftsman forums are filled with negative reviews about this material, the only advantage of which is its low cost.
- CHS Epoxy 520 (hardener 921OP) is suitable for working with complex fillers (herbarium, coins, lids) and is the best and most popular material for making countertops.
- - characterized by fluidity, and therefore ideal for creating thin layers and for working with fillers (coins, caps, flowers and grass), transparent.
- PEO-610KE- Russian-made resin, does not turn yellow over time under direct sunlight and heat.
- EpoxAcast 690 - when hardened, it will not turn yellow, even if it is in direct sunlight or near heating devices.
- MG-EPOX-STRONG from company Epox is a popular and good quality product. On the forums, some recommend filling the countertop exclusively with this resin.
- Epoxy CR 100 - has excellent chemical resistance, wear resistance, and antistatic properties.
- - has strength, resistance to direct sunlight and water, is used in the manufacture of jewelry, pouring glossy coatings and 3D floors, and creating decorative items.
Advice! When working with use one part hardener to two parts resin.
The quality of the filling will vary depending on the expiration date; there are fakes, and in some cases, factory defects.
As a rule, epoxy and solvent are mixed immediately before pouring in a 2:1 ratio.
In order for a handmade epoxy resin countertop to turn out to be a real work of art, you should take into account several recommendations from professionals:
- the resin will harden faster in a warm room;
- to avoid deformation, do not heat the surface from above;
- near fire or in direct sunlight, the solid resin begins to turn yellow;
- Do not mix the hardener with the resin at high speeds - otherwise bubbles and subsequently voids will appear;
- if there are still bubbles in the layer after leveling, pass the burner over the tabletop, the bubbles will come out - do not linger on the flame over one place;
- the hardened substance delaminates under the influence of extreme cold;
- It is imperative to coat the tabletop with a protective varnish, otherwise the resin will release toxins when heated;
- if uncured areas or spots appear during the pouring process, this indicates uneven mixing of the hardener with the resin due to adhesion of the substance to the walls of the container;
- to prevent uneven distribution components, pour the filling mixture from one container to another several times while thoroughly mixing with a thick stirrer, spatula or spatula. Try not to bring the tool to the surface of the mass, otherwise there is a high probability of air bubbles appearing.
There is often a negative response to epoxy resin for pouring countertops. As a rule, problems arise when the rules for working with it are violated. Follow the proportions, take into account the advice of professionals, and the work will give excellent result.
