Want to start a project with resin but are overwhelmed by its variety? You have come to the right place. Below we provide a complete look at 10+ different types of resin & their applications. Scroll down and read, you will find the right resin for your project.
Resin is a material with unique and diverse properties, usually in the form of a liquid or solid. Resin is widely used in many different industries and applications, including types of resin for 3D printing. Currently, there are many different types of resin, each with its own properties and applications. This brings variety and flexibility to the design and manufacturing process.
Below is basic information about the 5 most popular resins on the market: Epoxy resin, Polyester resin, Polyurethane resin, Silicone resin, UV resin.
| Types of Resin | Applications | Price |
| Epoxy Resin |
|
$75/ 1 gallon resin and 1 gallon hardener |
| Polyester Resin |
|
$67/ gallon (include hardener) |
| Polyurethane Resin |
|
$45/ gallon |
| Silicone Resin |
|
$95/ 1 gallon |
| UV resin |
|
$45/1000g |
*Note: Prices of products are referenced on August 31, 2023.
Epoxy resin, also called polyepoxides, is a flexible and durable synthetic polymer compound. It is often questioned "What does epoxy resin mean?". Essentially, it has transparent color, strong bonding ability and chemical resistance. Normally, epoxy resin consists of two main components: resin base and curing agent. When these two ingredients are combined together in standard proportions, a reaction will occur to form a hardening substance.
Types of epoxy resin:
Epoxy resin comes in 6 types, each designed for specific applications. Here are some common types of epoxy resin.
Applications
Epoxy resin is a versatile resin that has many strengths and different applications. This makes it a top choice for a large number of projects:
| Pros | Cons |
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Polyester resin is one of the most popular thermosetting resins. It is made by reacting a dibasic organic acid with a polyhydric alcohol. Polyester resin is a popular choice for a wide range of applications due to its flexibility, water resistance, strong bearing capacity, and affordability. It is also relatively easy to use.
Types of polyester resin
There are many different types of polyester resin available, each with its own unique properties and applications. Some of the most common types of polyester resin include:
Applications
Each type of polyester resin is modified to meet specific performance requirements, making them suitable for many different industries and applications.
| Pros | Cons |
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Polyurethane resin is a kind of polymer material with versatility and diversity. This plastic is made through the chemical reaction of polyols and isocyanates. Polyurethane can exist in hard, soft, porous, elastic forms. Therefore, it has many different properties depending on how it is manufactured and handled.
Types of Polyurethane resin
Polyurethane resins come in different forms and types based on how they are manufactured and used. Here are some common types of polyurethane resin:
Applications of polyurethane resin
Polyurethane resin has wide applications in many different industries and fields, thanks to its diversity and special properties. Here are some common applications of PU resin.
*Note:
| Pros | Cons |
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Silicone resin is a man-made elastomer with high heat resistance and good cold resistance, thereby creating many advantages over natural rubber. Viscosity and elasticity are its common physical properties. This type of plastic can produce solid resin products as well as flexible resin products.
Types of silicone resin
Depending on the type of raw material as well as the production conditions, silicone resin is made into many different types with different properties.
Applications of silicone resin
With many outstanding properties, silicone resin has become extremely important and is widely used in many different industries and fields.
| Pros | Cons |
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UV resin, also known as ultraviolet curing resin, is a type of liquid resin that cures when exposed to ultraviolet light. It is made of synthetic resins (polymers) and UV stabilizers or UV absorbers.
Types of UV resin
There are several types of UV resin, each designed for specific applications. Here are some common types:
Applications of UV resin
UV resin is widely used in many different fields thanks to its versatility and UV curing process.
| Pros | Cons |
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Except for the 5 popular types above, you can refer to other types of resin below.
Vinyl ester resin is a resin created by the combination of the advantages of epoxy resin and polyester resin but with stronger properties. It also needs to be mixed with a hardener in the right ratio to harden.
Main Characteristics:
Vinyl ester resin has a shelf life of 3 months. Therefore, you should determine the amount of resin needed for your project to avoid waste.
Applications of vinyl ester resin
With its outstanding properties, vinyl is used in many different applications. Vinyl Ester resin, with its ability to withstand water pressure, is becoming popular as a lining material for water tanks and plants. At the same time, thanks to its mechanical durability and chemical resistance, this type of plastic is also widely used in the production of chemical tanks, pipes and industrial equipment. In addition, Vinyl Ester is also used as a surface coating on concrete, steel, and wood, providing resistance to abrasion, impact, and fire.
Phenolic resin is a thermosetting resin, once it is melted and shaped it cannot be recycled anymore. The original color of this plastic is green or black. Depends on the manufacturing process. Its initial state can be solid, liquid or powder.
Main Characteristics:
Applications of Phenolic resin
Phenolic resin has many important applications. First, it is widely used as an insulator of insulated electronic parts, circuit boards and control panels. Second, phenolic resin has the ability to withstand heat up to 550F, from there, it is used to produce insulation and fireproof materials. It is also used to create household products such as bowls, chopsticks, knife handles and boxes, thanks to its moisture-proof and water-resistant properties. Finally, phenolic resins play an important role in creating adhesives in friction materials such as clutch discs and brake pads, thanks to their ability to withstand high temperatures.
Alkyd resin is a synthetic resin formed from the reaction between polyhydric alcohol and fatty acids. The normal state of this resin is liquid or viscous, and the initial color is usually yellow or brown. It also needs a catalyst (hardener) to carry out the hardening process.
Main Characteristics:
Applications of alkyd resin
Like other resins, Alkyd resin is also manufactured to serve many different applications. Alkyd resin is commonly used in the surface coating industry. With the ability to create a protective film that is weather, abrasion and rust resistant, it is suitable for exterior, interior, industrial and decorative painting. In addition, Alkyd is also used in the production of composite products such as pipes, construction materials and engineering parts.
Polycarbonate resin (PC) is a synthetic plastic with a special polymer structure, made up of carbonate. This is a transparent and very durable plastic that is impact and heat resistant. The general state of polycarbonate resin before it is processed and used in production processes is plastic granules with uniform size.
Main Characteristics:
Applications of Polycarbonate resin
Polycarbonate resin is quite commonly used in common items in life. Polycarbonate resin plays an important role in the electronics manufacturing industry. It is used to create electronic components, computer cases, LCD screens, cell phones and many other products. In addition, with its ability to transmit light, Polycarbonate is widely used as a replacement material for glass, creating visors, goggles, door visors and headlights. This type of plastic is also used to produce large capacity plastic bottles, bringing safety to users.
Polyamide resin - can be called nylon - is a synthetic resin with a polymer structure. It is a thermoplastic, so it can be remanufactured. Polyamide resin before it is processed and used has a general state of plastic granules with uniform size.
Main Characteristics:
Applications of polyamide resin
Polyamide resin is widely used in many fields. With good heat and moisture resistance and high durability, Polyamide resin is a popular choice as a coating material for outdoor or underwater machinery and equipment. In addition, this type of resin is also often used in painting walls or floors. In the field of materials production, Polyamide is used to make electronic components, from insulation materials to shells or containers for drugs and capsules in the pharmaceutical industry. Besides, Polyamide also has wide applications in the industry of manufacturing bags, suitcases, zippers and ropes.
Acrylic resin is a synthetic resin that does not break. It is a transparent and hard resin, similar to glass, but lighter and quite durable. Depending on the production method and raw materials, thermoplastic acrylic or thermosetting acrylic can be obtained.
Main Characteristics:
Applications of Acrylic resin
Acrylic resin is a versatile material widely used in many industries. Acrylic resins, with their excellent transparency, durability and weather resistance, are often the top choice for coatings on automobiles, plastic and metal surfaces. In particular, the transparency of it also provides many creative applications such as making advertising signs, light boxes and display products. In addition, it is also used to replace glass in making windows and partitions. In the field of arts and crafts, Acrylic resin is popular for creating paintings, statues, decorative lamps and many other artistic products.
Polypropylene resin (PP) is a synthetic engineering resin made up of propylene monomer units. This is a clear white thermoplastic. It is resistant to temperatures up to 320°F. It is one of the most popular resins in the world.
Main Characteristics:
Applications of Polypropylene resin
Polypropylene resin is a versatile material with many important and diverse applications. In the packaging industry, PP's versatility and reasonable price promote the production of packaging such as plastic bags, bottles, jars, boxes and many similar products. PP is also widely used in the textile industry, for the production of man-made fibers, cables and bags, thanks to its flexibility, heat resistance and moisture resistance. Another popular application of it is in the medical industry, especially in the production of syringes. In addition, PP is also widely used in the production of water pipes, drainage systems and vehicle interiors.
You can refer to the videos below to learn more information about resins as well as some ways to apply them.
Each resin possesses unique properties, so different factors need to be carefully considered in order to be able to choose the one that best suits your project and your wishes. Below are 6 factors you need to consider carefully before deciding to choose resin.
Clearly defining the purpose of your artwork is the first and most important thing in choosing the type of resin. Do you want casting, coating, or bonding? This will help you narrow down your resin options because different resins will have superior properties in different applications. For example, if you want to preserve your favorite flowers in resin, then transparent casting resin would be a perfect choice.
Depending on how long the project takes, you may need a resin that works quickly or a resin that allows you more time to manipulate and adjust. If this is your first time working with resin, a resin with a long set time is more suitable as it offers more flexibility in the fabrication process. However, faster-curing resins are often more expensive and may have less desirable properties, such as lower strength and durability. It is important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of speeding up the curing process before making a decision. Normally, to completely cure: UV resin takes 5-10 minutes, epoxy resin takes 72 hours, silicone resin takes 24 hours, polyester takes 12 hours…
Durability is also an important aspect in making your resin selection decision. Different resins have different hardness, impact resistance, abrasion, and service life. Consider the environment in which your artwork will be displayed or used, and choose a plastic that can withstand those conditions. If you are making a piece of furniture that will be used heavily, you will need to choose a resin that is resistant to scratches, dents, and chips. Epoxy resin is a good choice for durable furniture projects.
The surface finish of your artwork is another important factor to consider as it directly affects the aesthetics of the artwork. Resins can create different surface finishes, from glossy and reflective to matte or satin. Determine the desired finish with the properties of the resin to ensure that the aesthetics and beauty of the artwork meets your expectations.
Some types of plastic will have less odor and are safe to use, such as Polyurethane (PU), Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP). On the contrary, some types have a very strong odor and emit toxic and harmful fumes. for human health. Make sure you choose a plastic that is safe for your health. If the plastic that meets all your other expectations is harmful to your health, you need to wear protective equipment such as masks, gloves and glasses. You also need to make sure to do it in a spacious, well-ventilated place
Different types of plastic come in different price ranges, and it's important to strike a balance between quality and affordability. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to choose a less expensive resin, such as polyester resin. However, keep in mind that polyester resin is not as durable as some other types of resin.
In this article, we learned about +10 different types of resins and their applications in many fields. We hope the above information will be helpful in determining the right resin for your project. If you want to learn more details or have any questions about resin, leave them in the comments section below.
Compared to other resin types, epoxy is generally the best option. It is more forgiving when it comes to common mistakes made by newcomers, and it is also the simplest to mix and measure.
Epoxy resin, vinyl ester resin, polyester resin are the 3 most popular resins with outstanding advantages and diversity in applications in life.
Epoxy resin is a popular choice for art projects, especially for creating resin paintings, jewelry, and decorative pieces. Artists often ask, "How to paint on resin?" due to its appealing features such as transparency, flexibility, gloss, and UV resistance. It also has a long lifespan, allowing artists to work on intricate details and designs.
There are many types of plastic on the market, each with its own properties and applications. Therefore, we have researched and selected the 12 most popular and most applicable types of plastic. This will help you narrow down the range of resins, making it easier to make your choice.
Each different type of resin is produced for its own purpose and application. This is to meet the needs of use and development of modern life today.
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